What Is Hyperloop Method of Transport?

Hyperloop is a proposed and well-documented major method of transport technology for both passengers and freight. The hyperloop concept is a sealed unit, like a tunnel, held at low pressure allowing a pod to travel at very high speeds due to the reduced/minimal drag (air resistance) acting on the pod. Essentially, it is a train that travels in a low-pressure tube that can be built above or below ground.

The original idea for this was the early 1900’s, however, in the modern-day Elon Musks’ name is well associated with the concept. One of Musks companies, SpaceX, built a test track by its Hawthorne facility, which has had a test run completed. Musk feels Hyperloop can be the fifth major transport method, eventually reaching hypersonic speeds with further development of technology. Due to the low-pressure Mars at sea level, the hyperloop would not require a sealed unit (making it a train) which ties in with Musks thought of getting humans to earth.

Why Is It Called Hyperloop?

The term Hyperloop was derived due to the unit layout. The proposed concept is that the sealed unit will be one big loop with various stops, differing from a train that goes back and forth on one track.

How Does Hyperloop Achieve High Speeds?

Due to the sealed nature of the tunnel, the air pressure within can be held very low at a partial volume. A partial vacuum removes the bulk of the air particles reducing the impact of drag/air resistance on the speed of the pods. Drag is the main limiting factor of speed when travelling in the atmosphere and affects all modes of transport. Removal of air particles means that the displacement of the air particles does not occur allowing all energy used to be efficiently used to propel the pods.

A large axial compressor would be located at the front of the pod to transfer air in front of the pod to the rear, removing any pressure build-up in front of the pod, which would slow it down.

The propulsion system used for hyperloop is the same principle used for maglevs (magnetic levitating trains). A propulsion system of this kind reduces the points of contact that a normal train has and hence removes rolling resistance as a speed negating factor.

Magnetic Levitation Propulsion System

A maglev train is a type of train that exploits magnets to propel it along its track. Maglevs utilises two sets of magnets, one to repel and push the train down the track and the other to move the elevated train ahead.

Both the train and track produce a magnetic field, and the repulsive and attraction forces result in the train levitating above the rail. The magnetic fields also interact with the vehicle to propel it to very high speeds.

At low speeds a magnetic drag occurs due to magnetic fields produced at the front and rear of the train, however, this is only a problem at low speeds. At high speeds, it is not as much of a problem because other limiting speed factors are more diminishing.

Will Hyperloop Ever Happen?

Virgin hyperloop was founded in 2014 and have been looking at the hyperloop ever since. In 2020 Virgin Hyperloop successfully completed a passenger test, for two employees, where the pod reached a speed of 105 mph. Although, 105 mph is nowhere near the potential top speed of the transportation system.

A Hyperloop competition set up by Elon Musk led resulted in a team from the Technical University of Munich setting a top speed of 288 mph. It must be said this was not on a scale ready for passenger transportation.

Elon Musk also founded the company The Boring Company, which bores large underground tunnels. Hyperloop may be achieved utilising The Boring Company and building the Hyperloop system underground.

Although there has not been a large amount of development recently, a hyperloop system will likely be the future of mass transportation over rail due to the reduced journey times and developing technology.

Advantages of Hyperloop Technology

• – Hyperloop vehicles can travel at very high speeds
• – Have a lower cost than other transportation methods such as trains and planes.
• – Smaller environmental impact compared to other transportation methods.
• – Makes cities more accessible
• – Solar panels will be distributed along the top of the tube to generate clean electricity.
• – Due to the sealed nature, Hyperloop will be a lot more weather resistant than other modes of transport, especially trains.
• – According to The Boring Company, stations could be as small as two parking spaces making them easily integrated into cities.

Disadvantages of Hyperloop Technology

• – Safety – If a fire were to break out in the pod then it would pose a real threat due to the sealed nature
• – An additional safety issue is the evacuation of the tubes because they are designed to minimise the number of exits. Passengers would not be able to leave the pod to a partial vacuum tube, therefore, a method of pressurising the tube during evacuation is required.  
• – Communications issues may be an issue due to the pods being inside a steel tube (which prevents signal transmission).
• – Moving incredibly fast could lead to potential failures in handover failure

Summary 

Hyperloop is likely to be the next major method of transport due to the research and work currently going into the technology. Additionally, other industries do not currently have a concept of furthering their current transport system. The other major method of transport in development is driverless cars, however, this technology is already available via Tesla, so considered to already be in use.

Hyperloop will bring a good efficiency of the energy inputs required and slash down travel times between stations making it extremely lucrative to whoever can create a commercial and passenger safe Hyperloop system.

• Related Posts:
• What Is Sustainable Energy and Why Is It Important?
• Will Mechanical Engineers Be Needed In The Future?

The Graduate Engineer Social Media