RAS Pumps for Sewage Treatment Plants
RAS Pumps for Sewage Treatment Plants
RAS pumps are used in sewage treatment plants to pump Return Activated Sludge from a secondary clarifier back into the aeration basin or to the head of the plant.
Return Activated Sludge contains settled biological microorganisms that help maintain the treatment process. By returning this concentrated population of active bacteria back into the aeration stage, RAS pumping helps re-seed incoming sewage and support the breakdown of organic matter.
Hydro Innovations supplies Gorman-Rupp pumps for RAS duties in municipal wastewater treatment applications. These systems are commonly suited to councils, water authorities and consulting engineers looking for reliable RAS pumping solutions for sewage treatment plants.
Super T Series
Sewage and Industrial Wastewater Stringy materials with Eradicator Flows to 200 L/S
Ultra V Series
Sewage and Industrial Wastewater Pump Stringy materials with Eradicator Pressures to 95 metres
6400 Series: Solids-Handling End-Suction Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal Pumps for Wastewater Interchangeable parts with Super T Series Multiple impeller options
What Is RAS?
RAS pumps are used in sewage treatment plants to pump Return Activated Sludge from a secondary clarifier back into the aeration basin or to the head of the plant.
Return Activated Sludge contains settled biological microorganisms that help maintain the treatment process. By returning this concentrated population of active bacteria back into the aeration stage, RAS pumping helps re-seed incoming sewage and support the breakdown of organic matter.
Hydro Innovations supplies Gorman-Rupp pumps for RAS duties in municipal wastewater treatment applications. These systems are commonly suited to councils, water authorities and consulting engineers looking for reliable RAS pumping solutions for sewage treatment plants.
RAS pumping plays an important role in:
Maintaining the concentration of active biomass in the aeration basin
Returning biological microorganisms to the treatment process
Helping balance the food-to-microorganism ratio as incoming sewage conditions change
Supporting stable wastewater treatment performance
In simple terms, RAS pumps help keep the biological process active by returning settled sludge back into the treatment system.
RAS Pump Applications
Hydro Innovations supplies pumps for RAS duties in municipal sewage treatment environments.
RAS pumps may be used for:
Return activated sludge pumping
Sewage treatment plant sludge transfer
Secondary clarifier sludge return
Pumping RAS back to the head of the plant
Waste activated sludge and return activated sludge duties
Municipal wastewater treatment applications
Hydro’s own sludge pumping content already identifies return activated sludge duties at sewage treatment plants as a relevant application for these pumps.
Gorman-Rupp RAS Pumps from Hydro Innovations
For RAS applications, Hydro Innovations uses Gorman-Rupp Super T Series, Ultra V Series, and 6400 Series.
These pumps are designed for demanding municipal and industrial wastewater environments. Hydro’s website positions the Super T Series as suitable for sewage treatment plants and wastewater transfer (including RAS and WAS), with flows from 5 L/s to 300 L/s, heads from 5m to 40m, and solids handling up to 76mm spheres plus stringy materials.
The Ultra V Series is suited to higher pressure wastewater and sewage applications, with Eradicator solids-handling technology for stringy and difficult-to-pump solids. Hydro lists Ultra V flows from 10 L/s to 100 L/s, heads from 5m to 100m+, and solids handling for 76mm spheres plus stringy materials.
If the pump suction is to be “flooded”, Gorman-Rupp’s 6400 Series is the ideal choice for RAS. With many of the same features and having interchangeable parts with the Super T Series, the 6400 Series makes an efficient low maintenance alternative.
Super T Series for RAS Pumping
The Gorman-Rupp Super T Series is a strong option for RAS pumping where reliable, low-maintenance wastewater transfer is required. Also available with Eradicator or Eradicator Plus for stringy materials.
The Super T Series is designed for municipal and industrial wastewater and can be mounted above the wet well rather than inside it. This makes access easier for monitoring, service and maintenance.
Key advantages include:
- Self-priming wastewater pump design
- Suitable for sewage treatment plant applications
- Flows from 5 L/s to 300 L/s
- Heads from 5m to 40m
- Solids handling up to 76mm spheres in 4” sizes and up
- Ability to handle stringy to very stringy materials
- Easier access for service and blockage removal
- Reduced operator exposure compared with wet-well maintenance
Ultra V Series for RAS Pumping
The Gorman-Rupp Ultra V Series is suited to RAS and wastewater applications where higher pressures or difficult solids handling are required.
The Ultra V Series with Eradicator is designed for municipal and industrial wastewater containing stringy, difficult-to-pump solids in suspension. Hydro’s product page specifically notes use in wastewater treatment plants around the country.
Key advantages include:
- Self-priming centrifugal wastewater pump design
- Suitable for sewage and wastewater applications
- Flows from 10 L/s to 100 L/s
- Heads from 5m to 100m+
- Solids handling up to 76mm spheres plus stringy materials
- Eradicator technology for rags, wet wipes, feathers and other debris
- Large inspection cover for access to pump internals
- Designed for easier service and blockage removal
6400 Series for RAS Pumping
The Gorman-Rupp 6400 Series is suited to RAS and wastewater applications have a flooded suction.
The 6400 Series with Eradicator is designed for municipal and industrial wastewater containing stringy, difficult-to-pump solids in suspension. Or for high loads of stringy solids, the “Eradicator Plus” is an option.
Key advantages include:
- Suitable for sewage and wastewater applications
- Flows from 5 L/s to 160 L/s
- Heads from 5m to 45m+
- Solids handling up to 100mm spheres plus stringy materials
- Eradicator and Eradicator Plus technology for rags, wet wipes, feathers and other debris
- Optional Clean-out Port for access to pump internals
- Designed for easier service and blockage removal
Why Use Self-Priming Pumps for RAS Duties?
RAS pumping is a critical part of the sewage treatment process. When a pump is difficult to access, difficult to service, or prone to blockage, it can create unnecessary maintenance issues for plant operators.
Gorman-Rupp self-priming pumps can be mounted above the wet well, allowing operators to access the pump from ground level rather than working inside the wastewater environment. Hydro’s wastewater content highlights the safety and maintenance benefits of surface-mounted self-priming pumps, including reduced exposure to working over water, cranes and heavy suspended equipment.
This makes them a practical option for councils and water authorities wanting safer, easier access to critical RAS pumping equipment.
Designed for Wastewater Solids Handling
RAS pumping involves moving biological sludge, so the pump must be able to handle wastewater solids reliably.
Hydro’s wastewater pump range is built around solids handling, with Super T, Ultra V and 6400 Series pumps designed to manage tough municipal and industrial wastewater applications. Hydro notes that Gorman-Rupp wastewater pumps can handle 76mm spherical solids and that Eradicator and Eradicator Plus technologies are available for stringy, clog-prone solids.
For RAS applications, this means the pump can be configured around the site’s required flow, head, sludge characteristics and maintenance access needs.
RAS Pump Selection Support
Every sewage treatment plant is different. The right RAS pump selection depends on the plant layout, flow requirements, head conditions, sludge characteristics and maintenance requirements.
Hydro Innovations can assist councils, water authorities and consulting engineers with pump selection for RAS applications, including Super T, Ultra V and 6400 Series options.
When selecting a RAS pump, key considerations include:
- Required RAS flow rate
- Total head and discharge conditions
- Solids and stringy material handling requirements
- Access for inspection and maintenance
- Above-ground mounting opportunities
- Materials of construction for the pumped fluid
- Duty and standby pump requirements
Hydro Innovations is Gorman-Rupp’s exclusive distributor for municipal and industrial pumps in Australia, combining Gorman-Rupp pump technology with local technical support and spare parts availability.
Speak With Hydro Innovations About RAS Pumps
If you need a RAS pump for a sewage treatment plant, Hydro Innovations can help assess the duty and recommend a suitable Gorman-Rupp pump configuration.
Whether the application requires a Super T Series pump for reliable wastewater transfer or an Ultra V Series pump for higher pressure and difficult solids handling, Hydro Innovations can help match the system to the site.
RAS Pumps FAQ:
What does RAS stand for?
RAS stands for Return Activated Sludge. It refers to settled biological sludge that is pumped from the secondary clarifier back into the aeration basin or head of the plant.
What does a RAS pump do?
A RAS pump moves Return Activated Sludge back into the treatment process. This helps maintain the active biomass needed to treat incoming sewage.
What pumps do Hydro Innovations use for RAS?
Hydro Innovations uses Gorman-Rupp Super T Series and Ultra V Series pumps for RAS applications, depending on the site requirements.
Are RAS pumps used in municipal sewage treatment plants?
Yes. RAS pumps are used in sewage treatment plants to return activated sludge from the secondary clarifier back into the aeration process. Hydro’s sludge pumping page specifically references return activated sludge duties at sewage treatment plants.
Can RAS pumps be mounted above ground?
Yes. Gorman-Rupp self-priming pumps can be mounted above the wet well, improving access for monitoring and maintenance. Hydro’s website highlights this as a key advantage of its wastewater pump range.
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