Numerical Investigation of Aerodynamic Characteristics of Hyperloop System Using Optimized Capsule Design

Abstract

As a consequence of research on developing a speedy transportation system, Hyperloop is one of the best solutions now as smaller resistant forces are developed on the capsule body compared to conventional ground transportation systems due to movement in a vacuum and no contact with the ground. In this study, a capsule of an elliptical-shaped head and semicircular-shaped rear was chosen for analysis. Aerodynamic drags were calculated at different evacuated tunnel pressures. The computational regime was a 360 meters long tunnel. The inlet and outlet were pressure far-field boundaries while the wall was moving, with a Blockage Ratio (BR) of 0.36. Characteristics of different regions were identified in choked conditions. The drag was found to be lesser than the capsule of semicircular ends at different speeds. The pressure drag and friction drag were increased with the increase in velocity in the same tunnel pressure. By investigating different flow regions, it was found that a series of rhomboidal-shaped shock waves appear at high speeds. The formation and nature of this shock wave were also investigated, and found that it is caused due to shock wave and expansion wave interaction that results in the fall of pressure and temperature in the wake region.