Hyperloop- A 21st century transportation revolution

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Hyperloop -
A 21st Century
Transportation Revolution
Submitted by-
Gyanendra Awasthi
Enrollment no. - (13135043)
Mechanical Engineering Dept.
IIT(BHU), Varanasi

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Abstract
There are four existing conventional modes of transportation. They are rail,
road, air, and water. These modes of transport tend to be either relatively slow
(e.g., road and water), expensive (e.g., air), or a combination of relatively slow
and expensive (i.e., rail). Hyperloop is a new mode of transport that seeks to
change this paradigm by being both fast and inexpensive for people and goods.
Hyperloop consists of a low pressure tube with capsules that are
transported at both low and high speeds throughout the length of the tube.
The capsules are supported on a cushion of air, featuring pressurized air and
aerodynamic lift. The capsules are accelerated via a magnetic linear accelerator
affixed at various stations on the low pressure tube with rotors contained in
each capsule. Passengers may enter and exit Hyperloop at stations located
either at the ends of the tube, or branches along the tube length.
It eliminates direct emission, noise, delay, weather concerns, and pilot
error. It is a Fifth mode of transportation. The energy required to run this
system will be supplied by itself which will be produced by the solar panels
affixed to upper part of tube. The energy consumed by the Hyperloop to drive
its system is almost 80% of the total energy generated by the solar panels.
Thus 20% energy will add extra money into Hyperloop pocket.
In this document the cost for the route from Los Angeles to San
Francisco has been calculated. The calculation of the cost of capsule and cost
of whole system has been originally done in ‘Hyperloop Alpha’ document.

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Content
A. Abstract ………………………..2
B. Content ………………………..3
1. Hyperloop ………………………..4
2. Hyperloop transportation system ………………………..4
2.1. Capsule ………………………..6
2.1.1. Geometry ………………………..6
2.1.2. Interior ………………………..6
2.1.3. Compressor ………………………..7
2.1.4. Suspension ………………………..9
2.1.5. Propulsion ………………………..11
2.2. Tube ………………………..11
2.2.1. Pylon and tunnel ………………………..13
2.2.2. Station construction ………………………..14
2.3. Propulsion system ………………………..14
2.3.1. Capsule component ………………………..15
2.3.2. Tube component ………………………..16
2.3.3. Energy storage component…………………16
2.3.4. Cost ………………………..16
2.4. Route ………………………..17
3. Total cost of the overall system ………………………..18
4. Benefits ………………………..19
5. Possible problems ………………………..21
6. Current scenario ………………………..22
7. Conclusion ………………………..22
8. References ………………………..23

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1.Hyperloop-
Hyperloop is a cross between a Concorde and rail gun and an air hockey. It
uses the basic techniques of these three systems and a lot of new innovations
are also combined with them. In other words, the Hyperloop is a combination
of a supersonic plane with afterburning turbojets, a giant electric circuit
capsule of firing at Mach 5, and a table that perpetually emits air out of a tiny
porous surface. Hyperloop consists of low pressure tubes with capsules that
are transported at low and high speeds throughout the capsule.
2.Hyperloop transportation system:-
The Hyperloop consists of several distinct components, including:
1. Capsule:
a. Sealed capsules carrying 28 passengers each that travel along the
interior of the tube depart on average every 2 minutes from Los Angeles
or San Francisco (up to every 30 seconds during peak usage hours).
b. A larger system has also been sized that allows transport of 3 full size
automobiles with passengers to travel in the capsule.
c. The capsules are separated within the tube by approximately (37 km)
on average during operation.

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d. The capsules are supported via air bearings that operate using a
compressed air reservoir and aerodynamic lift.
2. Tube:
a. The tube is made of steel. Two tubes will be welded together in a side-
by-side configuration to allow the capsules to travel both directions.
b. Pylons are placed every (30 m) to support the tube.
c. Solar arrays will cover the top of the tubes in order to provide power
to the system.
3. Propulsion:
a. Linear accelerators are constructed along the length of the tube at
various locations to accelerate the capsules.
b. Rotors are located on the capsules to transfer momentum to the
capsules via the linear accelerators.
4. Route:
a. There will be a station at Los Angeles and San Francisco. Several
stations along the way will be possible with splits in the tube.
b. The majority of the route will follow I-5 and the tube will be
constructed in the median.
The proposed capsule geometry houses several distinct systems to reside
within the outer mold line.
Figure 1. Hyperloop passenger capsule subsystem notional locations (not to
scale).

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2.1- Capsule:-
Two versions of hyperloop capusules have been proposed. These
are 1). Hyperloop passenger capsule and 2). Hyperloop passenger and
vehicle capsule. The operating pressure inside tube in which Hyperloop
capsules opearate is 100Pa, which reduces the drag force of the air by
1,000 times relative to sea level conditions and would be equivalent to
flying above 150,000 feet altitude. A hard vacuum is avoided as vacuums
are expensive and difficult to maintain compared with low pressure
solutions. The capsule travel at 760mph. Close to the cities where more
turns must be navigated, capsules travel at a lower speed. This reduces
the accelerations felt by the passengers, and also reduces power
requirements for the capsule.
2.1.1- Geometry: -
In order to optimize the capsule speed and performance, the
frontal area has been minimized for size while maintaining passenger
comfort. The vehicle is streamlined to reduce drag and features a
compressor at the leading face to ingest oncoming air for levitation and
to a lesser extent propulsion. In both type of capsules the doors on each
side will open in a gullwing (or possibly sliding) manner to allow easy
access during loading and unloading. The luggage compartment will be
at the front or rear of the capsule. Specifications of geometry of both
type of capsule are given in the table1.
2.1.2- Interior: -
The interior of the capsule is specifically designed with passenger
safety and comfort in mind. The seats conform well to the body to
maintain comfort during the high speed accelerations experienced
during travel. Beautiful landscape will be displayed in the cabin and each
passenger will have access their own personal entertainment system.
The interior portion of the Hyperloop passenger capsule includes the
seats, restraint systems, interior and door panels, luggage
compartments, and entertainment displays. Same as the interior portion
of the Hyperloop passenger + vehicle capsule includes the seats,
restraint systems, interior and door panels, luggage compartments, and
entertainment displays. Weights and expected costs of the overall
interior portion of both type of capsules are tabulated in table1.

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Hyperloop passenger
capsule
Hyperloop passenger +
vehicle capsule
Overall structure weight 3100kg 3500kg
Overall cost of structure $245,000 $275,000
Overall interior weight 2500kg 2700kg
Overall cost of interior
components
$255,000 $185,000
Maximum width 1.35m 1.35m
Maximum height 1.10m 1.10m
Frontal area 1.5 sq. m 4.0 sq. m
Aerodynamic power
requirement at 700mph
Around 100kW Around 382kW
Table1. An overall comparison of Hyperloop passenger capsule and Hyperloop
passenger + vehicle capsule
2.1.3- Compressor: -
There is an onboard compressor in the capsule, which serves two
purposes. This system allows the capsule to traverse the relatively narrow tube
without choking flow that travels between the capsule and the tube walls
(resulting in a build-up of air mass in front of the capsule and increasing the
drag) by compressing air that is bypassed through the capsule. It also supplies
air to air bearings that support the weight of the capsule throughout the
journey.

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The air processing in Hyperloop passenger capsule occurs as follows-
1. Tube air is compressed with a compression ratio of 20:1 via an axial
compressor.
2. Up to 60% of this air is bypassed:
a. The air travels via a narrow tube near bottom of the capsule to the
tail.
b. A nozzle at the tail expands the flow generating thrust to mitigate
some of the small amounts of aerodynamic and bearing drag.
3. Up to (0.2 kg/s) of air is cooled and compressed an additional 5.2:1 for
the passenger version with additional cooling afterward.
a. This air is stored in onboard composite overwrap pressure vessels.
b. The stored air is eventually consumed by the air bearings to
maintain distance between the capsule and tube walls.
4. An onboard water tank is used for cooling of the air.
a. Water is pumped at (0.14 kg/s) through two intercoolers (290 kg
total mass of coolant).
b. The steam is stored onboard until reaching the station.
c. Water and steam tanks are changed automatically at each stop.
5. The compressor is powered by a (325 kW) onboard electric motor:
a. The motor has an estimated mass of (169 kg), which includes
power electronics.
b. An estimated (1,500 kg) of batteries provides 45 minutes of
onboard compressor power, which is more than sufficient for the
travel time with added reserve backup power.
c. Onboard batteries are changed at each stop and charged at the
stations.

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Figure 2. - Compressor schematic of compressor diagram in Hyperloop
passenger capsule
2.1.4- Suspension: -
The proposed design of capsule will ride on air bearings with a minimum
of friction. Air bearings have natural stability, low friction, and long lifetime.
Air bearings are also a natural fit for the Hyperloop, in which the capsules
already contain a compressor system required to reduce air drag at high
speeds. Externally pressurized and aerodynamic air bearings are well suited for
the Hyperloop due to exceptionally high stiffness, which is required to
maintain stability at high speeds. When the gap height between a ski and the
tube wall is reduced, the flow field in the gap exhibits a highly non-linear
reaction resulting in large restoring pressures. The increased pressure pushes
the ski away from the wall, allowing it to return to its nominal ride height. Also
each ski is integrated into an independent mechanical suspension, ensuring a
smooth ride for passengers.

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Figure 3. - Schematic of air bearing ski that support the capsule
The skis, each (1.5 meters) in length and (0.9 meters) in width, support
the weight of the capsule by floating on a pressurized cushion of air (0.5 to 1.3
mm) off the ground. Lift is supplemented by injecting highly pressurized air
into the gap. The specifications of suspension systems of Hyperloop passenger
capsule and Hyperloop passenger + vehicle capsule is tabulated in Table2.
Hyperloop passenger
capsule
vehicle capsule
Suspension system
Air bearing system weight 2800kg 3800kg
Overall cost of bearing
system component
$475,000 $565,000
Total drag generated by
28 bearings at capsule
speed of 760mph
140N 187N
Power loss due to drag 48kW 63kW
Length 1.5m 1.5m
Width 0.9m 1.2m
Flow rate required
beneath the ski
0.2kg/sec at 9.4kPa 0.2kg/s at 11.2kPa
Table2. A comparison of suspension systems of Hyperloop passenger capsule
and Hyperloop passenger + vehicle capsule

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2.1.5- Propulsion: -
The moving motor element (rotor) will be located on the vehicle
for weight savings and power requirements while the tube will
incorporate the stationary motor element (stator) which powers the
vehicle.
Hyperloop passenger
capsule
vehicle capsule
Onboard power
Batteries weight 2500kg 5500kg
Weight of Batteries used
by compressor
1500kg 4000kg
Cost of batteries, motor,
and electronic component
$150,000 $200,000
Propulsion system
Weight 1300kg 1600kg
Overall cost of propulsion
system
$125,000 $150,000
Table3. Onboard power and propulsion system specifications and cost in
Hyperloop passenger capsule and Hyperloop passenger + vehicle capsule
2.2- Tube-
The main Hyperloop route consists of a partially evacuated cylindrical tube
that connects the centers in a closed loop system. The tube is specifically sized
for optimal air flow around the capsule improving performance and energy
consumption at the expected travel speed. The expected pressure inside the
tube will be maintained around 100 Pa. This low pressure minimizes the drag
force on the capsule while maintaining the relative ease of pumping out the air
from the tube. In order to minimize cost of the Hyperloop tube, it will be
elevated on pillars which greatly reduce the footprint required on the ground
and the size of the construction area required.

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Solar panels would be lined on the surface of the tubes to produced
required energy. If we expect that the solar panel production energy rate will
be 120W/sq. m, the energy generated by all the solar panels fixed on the tube
will be more than enough. It fulfills energy demand of Hyperloop system and
also much percentage of the energy will be remained in its store.
Tube Hyperloop passenger
Version
vehicle version
Inner diameter of the
tube
2.23m 3.30m
Tube cross sectional
area
3.91sq.m 8.85sq.m
Capsule/tube area ratio 0.36 0.47
Capsule/tube diameter
ratio
0.60 0.68
Possible wideness of
tube tracks
4.25m 6.60m
Expected max. solar
energy produced
285MW 446MW
Table4. Specifications of tube and energy generated by solar panels in case of
Hyperloop passenger capsule and Hyperloop passenger + vehicle capsule

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Figure 4. Overview of the infrastructure of the Hyperloop
2.2.1-Pylons and tunnels: -
The tube will be supported by pylons which greatly reduces the
footprints of track on the ground and size of area that required to
construction. Since sheer quality of pillar or pylons are required, so reinforced
concrete is selected as the construction material due to its very low cost per
volume. The height of the pillar will be 6m whenever is possible. But it may
vary in hilly areas or where obstacles in the way. Keeping all these points in to
consideration the heights of the pillars are divided into three categories:
Also pylons constrain the tube in the vertical direction but allow
longitudinal slip for thermal expansion as well as dampened lateral slip to
reduce the risk posed by earthquakes. In addition, the pillar to tube connection
nominal position will be adjustable vertically and laterally to ensure proper
alignment despite possible ground settling. The average spacing between the
pillars will be 30m.
Cost for pillar construction:
1. Hyperloop passenger version tube- $2.25billion USD
2. Hyperloop passenger+ vehicle version tube- $3.15 billion USD
In some areas tunneling will be required to avoid going over mountains and to
maintain the straightness of route as much as possible.

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Expected cost for tunneling-
a. For larger diameter tube- $700million USD
b. For smaller diameter tube- $600million USD
Dampers will be incorporated between the pylons and tubes to isolate
movements in the ground from the tubes.
2.2.2-Station construction-
Due to short travel time it is envisaged that there will be a continual
flow of passengers through each Hyperloop station. It creates the necessity of
minimizing human error and delay time while operating various operations on
the station. Hyperloop stations are intended to be minimalist but practical with
a boarding process and layout much simpler than airports. All ticketing and
baggage tracking for the Hyperloop will be handled electronically, negating the
need for printing boarding passes and luggage labels. There would be a luggage
limit of 2 bags per person, for no more than (50 kg) in total. Luggage would be
stowed in a separate compartment at the rear of the capsule. This luggage
compartment can be removed from the capsule, so that the process of stowing
and retrieving luggage can be undertaken separately from embarking or
disembarking the capsule’s passenger cabin.
In order to maximize efficiency, the loading and unloading of passenger
luggage will be taken care by the Hyperloop staff.
The transit area at a Hyperloop terminal would be a large open area with
two large airlocks signifying the entry and exit points for the capsules.
The process of loading and unloading would occur in parallel with up to
three capsules at a given station at any time. The expected cost of each station
would be around $125million USD for a total of $250million USD.
2.3. Propulsion system: -
The Hyperloop uses a linear induction motor to accelerate and
decelerate the capsule. The benefits over a permanent magnet motor of this
system are:
1. Lower material cost- rotor will be made of Al and of simple
shape.
2. Lighter capsule
3. Smaller capsule dimensions
The lateral forces exerted by the stator on the rotor though low at (13
N/m) are inherently stabilizing. This simplifies the problem of keeping the rotor
aligned in the air gap.

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Figure 5. Rotor and Stator 3D diagram
Stator will be mounted on tube and rotor which is lighter part will be
mounted on the capsule as shown in figure. Each accelerator has two 70 MVA
inverters, one to accelerate the outgoing capsule, and one to capture the
energy from the incoming capsule. Relatively inexpensive semiconductor
switches allow the central inverters to energize only the section of track
occupied by a capsule, improving the power factor seen by the inverters.
The inverters are physically located at the highest speed end of the track
to minimize conductor cost.
2.3.1. Capsule component (Rotor):-
The rotor of the linear induction motor in capsule consists of an
Aluminium blade which is 15m long, 0.50m tall and 0.50mm thick. Current
flows mainly in outer (10mm) of this blade, allowing it to hollow to decrease
weight and cost. The gap between rotor and stator is 20mm on both side. A
combination of the capsule control system and electromagnetic centering
forces allows the capsule to safely enter, center within, and exit such a precise
gap.

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Figure 6. Magnetic field strength inside linear induction motor
2.3.2. Tube component (Stator): -
The stator is mounted to the bottom of the tube over the entire 2.5
miles (4.0 km) it takes to accelerate and decelerate between 300 and 760 mph
(480 and 1,220 km). It is approximately 0.5 m wide (including the air gap) and
10 cm tall, and weighs 800 kg/m.
Its electrical configuration is 3-phase, 1 slot per pole per phase, with a
variable linear pitch (0.4 m maximum). The number of turns per slot also varies
along the length of the stator, allowing the inverter to operate at nearly
constant phase voltage. The two halves of the stator require bracing to resist
the magnetic forces of 300N/m that try to bring them together.
2.3.3. Energy storage components: -
The energy storage cell will be built of same Lithium ion cells which are
used in Tesla Model-S. They allow to this linear accelerator only draw its
average power of 6MW (rather than peak power of 55MW) from its solar
array.
2.3.4. Cost-
The cost of energy components for the both versions of Hyperloop are
tabulated in Table5.

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Propulsion Hyperloop
passenger
version
Hyperloop
passenger +
vehicle version
All tube side
propulsion cost
including linear
accelerator
$140 million USD $200 million USD
Required average
power supplied
by solar array
21MW 49MW
Expected cost for
setting solar
panels
$210 million USD $490 million USD
Table 5. Cost of energy components for both versions of Hyperloop
2.4. Route: -
The Hyperloop route will be based on several considerations, including:
1. Maintaining the tube as closely as possible to existing rights of way
2. Limiting the maximum capsule speed to 760 mph (1,220 kph) for
aerodynamic considerations.
3. Limiting accelerations on the passengers to 0.5g. Optimizing locations
of the linear motor tube sections driving the capsules.
4. Local geographical constraints, including location of urban areas,
mountain ranges, reservoirs, national parks, roads, railroads, airports,
etc. The route must respect existing structures.
For aerodynamic efficiency, the speed of a capsule in the Hyperloop is
typically:
a) 300 mph (480 kph) where local geography necessitates a tube bend radii
< 1.0 mile (1.6 km)
b) 760 mph (1,220 kph) where local geography allows a tube bend > 3.0
miles (4.8 km) or where local geography permits a straight tube.
These bend radii have been calculated so that the passenger does not
experience inertial accelerations that exceed 0.5g. This is deemed the

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maximum inertial acceleration that can be comfortably sustained by humans
for short periods.
3. Total Cost of the overall system: -
The total cost of the Hyperloop passenger transportation system as
outlined is less than $6 billion USD (Table6). The passenger plus vehicle version
of Hyperloop is including both passenger and cargo capsules and the total cost
is outlined as $7.5 billion USD (Table7).
The total cost is calculated for the 560km long route stretched from Los
Angeles to San Francisco. Cost for the single capsule either be of Hyperloop
passenger version or be of Hyperloop passenger + vehicle version will remain
same for other routes, if they were proposed.
Cost and weight of the single capsule for Hyperloop passenger version is
$1,350,000 and 15,000kg respectively. The cost and weight of the single
capsule for Hyperloop passenger + vehicle version is $1,525,000 and 26,000kg
respectively.
Table 6. Total cost of the Hyperloop passenger system

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Table 7. Total cost of the Hyperloop + vehicle transportation system
4. Benefits:-
Hyperloop is the technology of future. The benefits of these transportation
systems are such:
4.1. Little Fiction loss:-
In the tube there is extremely low pressure due to use of air
bearing ski which ensures that the pods (booths in which passengers sit)
can travel with very little friction and thus they can travel fast.

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4.2. High speed of Hyperloop-
With very little air friction and using the technique of magnetic
levitation, which is currently used in MAGLEV trains, Hyperloop train can
achieve high speeds. Speeds of 700 mph (1,220 km / h), which is just
below the sound barrier, are well possible.
4.3. Using clean energy-
The system would be self-sufficient in clean energy. It basically
uses solar energy which will be generated through solar panels fixed on
the upper part of tube.
4.4. Immune to weather conditions-
Since the tube will be sealed. So it will be immune to changing
atmospheric conditions. There will not be any effect of storms, fast air
on the traffic of Hyperloop due to sealed tubes. And also the speed of
train will not be affected by fog and other weather conditions.
4.5. Resistant to earthquake-
The pylons on which the track of Hyperloop will be designed will
be resistant to earthquake. Pylons are the basically high steels structures
on which wire is fixed to carry electricity. One can say pylons are high
pillars to support some kind of structure on them.
4.6. More reliable : -
The Hyperloop system comprising all infrastructure, mechanical,
electrical, and software components will be designed so that it is
reliable, durable, and fault tolerant over its service life (100 years), while
maintaining safety levels that match or exceed the safety standard of
commercial air transportation.
4.7. Lower cost :-
It will cost less than other modes of transportation for the same
distance of route travelled in a minimum time period. In the proposed
route for Hyperloop from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the distance
between these two population centers being 560km apart, it will cost
only $20 USD.

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It can also be seen from the figure that energy cost of this system
is less than any existing mode of transportation.
Figure 7. Energy cost per passenger for a journey between Los Angeles and San
Francisco for various modes of transport.
5.Possible problems:-
Since any technique cannot be completely perfect. There is always
some faults present in that system or in that technique. In the same way
Hyperloop also have its flaws, lacks. Since it is in its developing state. So the
expected problems and flaws related with it can be such.
1. Small space is available in capsules.
2. There is no any space for washroom in current design of Hyperloop
capsule.

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3. There will be needed a lot of money to build its infrastructure around $6
billion and cost may be high than anticipated. Nothing is cash proof in
this world. So it may be very risky to invest a huge amount of money into
a specific technique and who knows what will be the future of
Hyperloop.
4. The critics of Hyperloop say experience could be frightening because
passengers would be in narrow shield, windowless capsule inside a
tunnel.
5. Fast acceleration and noisy vibrations can cause motion signals.
6. There is also a logistic question regarding malfunction, accidents and
emergency evacuations.
6.Current Scenario: -
The prototype of this modal is in its developing state in USA and is
expected to be completed at the end of the year 2016. The first testing of the
prototype was performed on 11 May, 2016 at Apex National Park, City of North
Las Vegas, Nevada in USA by the startup Hyperloop One. The length of the
track was 0.50 mile. It was an open air test. It meant that no any tube was used
on the track. The maximum speed of sledge was only 116mph but it was able
to achieve its maximum speed in 2 sec. The working model of the Hyperloop
transportation system in expected to be prepared till 2020 and possibly it will
start working on the tracks on 2021. Three companies Hyperloop one,
Hyperloop Transportation Technology (HTT), and SpaceX have started working
on it.
7.Conclusion: -
This report talks about the Hyperloop transportation system. There are
two version of Hyperloop have been envisaged in this document. Calculation of
all the data either be weight or be cost, all are calculated for the route
between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The distance between these two
population centers is 560km which will be travelled by the Hyperloop in 30
min.

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8.References: -
1. Title ‘Hyperloop Alpha’ document outsourced by Elon Musk, CEO of
TESLA Motors, SpaceX.
2. spacex.com
3. hyperloopone.com
4. newatlas.com
5. digitaltrend.com
6. teslamotors.com

Hyperloop- A 21st century transportation revolution

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