The Hydraulic Institute (HI), an association of pump manufacturers and suppliers, announced the launch of Hydraulic Institute University (HI U), an initiative to provide product-neutral training and educational resources on pumps and pump systems.

HI University provides a broad range of training, from introductory to advanced levels, designed to meet the needs of pump system operators, maintenance personnel, engineers, and other industry professionals. The training is available in various formats, including live virtual sessions, on-demand modules, and in-person events.

Hydraulic Institute University encompasses all of HI's training offerings, including those previously offered under the Pump Systems Matter brand. The decision to rebrand training as HI U was made to better reflect HI's commitment to advance the industry by educating the workforce.

"The re-branding of our training programs to 'Hydraulic Institute University' reflects our commitment to providing high-quality education and development opportunities for pump system professionals of all levels," said Matthew Derner, HI's Manager of Education and Training. "This new brand underscores HI's growing focus on fostering a deeper understanding of pump systems, and empowering individuals to excel in their careers."

Explore HI University at https://training.pumps.org.

HI Data Tool

In tandem with the launch of HIU, the Hydraulic Institute also released the HI Data Tool, a free online resource for pump users, manufacturers, engineers, educators, and students. The tool's key features include educational demonstrators and calculation tools for pump systems, such as interactive system curves, variable speed pump curves, parallel pump curves, unit converters, and calculators for pipe frictional head loss, line-shaft bearing losses, tank volumes, and atmospheric pressure changes with elevation. Additionally, the tool offers tutorial content on pump types, definitions, references, system curves, pump curves, affinity laws, net positive suction head, fluid properties, pipe and fitting friction losses, and useful data on pipes, flanges, and motors.

The Data Tool is the second phase of the original Engineering Data Library. It preserves the information and tools from the library while introducing new sections, additional calculators, and a redesigned user interface.

"The origins of the Data Tool date back to 1921, with friction loss tables, and pipe and flange dimensions first published in the initial edition of the Hydraulic Society's Standards. Later, pump system data was added and published separately in the Pipe Friction Manual and Engineering Data Book, which for over 100 years have been essential resources for the industry," said HI Deputy Executive Director Peter Gaydon. "In 2020, we built on this legacy by transforming the book into a free website, the Engineering Data Library. Now, in 2024, we have enhanced the site, rebranding it as the HI Data Tool with additional calculators and interactive tutorials."

According to Gaydon, the new name, "Data Tool," highlights this evolution. "It's more than just a collection of data and reference materials; it's now an interactive tool that helps users learn and complete their work more efficiently.

The Data Tool can be found at https://datatool.pumps.org/