Numerical Investigation of Jet-Propelled Multiple-Vehicle Hyperloop System Considering the Suspension Gap

Seraj Alzhrani (), Mohammed M. Abdulla, Khalid Juhany and Ibraheem AlQadi
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Seraj Alzhrani: Department of Aerospace Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed M. Abdulla: Department of Aerospace Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Juhany: Department of Aerospace Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Ibraheem AlQadi: Department of Aerospace Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-25

Abstract: The Hyperloop system offers revolutionary transportation, aiming for near-sonic speeds in a low-pressure environment. The aerodynamic design challenges of multiple vehicles in a confined tube remain largely unexplored, particularly regarding vehicle spacing and suspension gaps. This study investigates a jet-propelled, multi-vehicle Hyperloop system using Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations and the k − ω turbulence model. Analysis of suspension gaps and vehicle spacing on drag and thrust revealed that suspension gaps cause significant jet deflection, reducing effective thrust and increasing drag. It was found that vehicle suspension, with a 75 mm suspension gap, increased drag by 58% at Mach 0.7 compared to the unsuspended configuration. Meanwhile, smaller vehicle spacing ( X v = 0.25 L v ) reduced the drag by up to 50%, enhancing system efficiency. The results emphasize the need to address the effect of jet deflection and optimize vehicle spacing for maximum energy savings. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing aerodynamic performance in multi-vehicle Hyperloop systems.

Keywords: hyperloop; suspension effect; low-pressure tube; multiple vehicles; jet flow (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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