Day 35 – Q 2.How does hyper loop technology for transportation work? Discuss.

2. How does hyper loop technology for transportation work? Discuss. 

परिवहन कार्य के लिए हाइपर लूप तकनीक कैसे काम करती है? चर्चा करें।

Introduction:

Hyperloop is a new form of ground transport. It will have passengers travelling in floating pods within low-pressure tubes.

Body:

Hyper look technology for transportation:

• The basic idea of Hyperloop is that the passenger pods or capsules travel through a tube, either above or below ground. To reduce friction, most but not all of the air is removed from the tubes by pumps.
• Overcoming air resistance is one of the biggest uses of energy in high speed travel. Airliners climb to high altitudes to travel through less dense air; in order to create a similar effect at ground level, Hyperloop encloses the capsules in a reduced-pressure tube, effectively allowing the trains to travel at airplane speeds but on the ground.
• In model, the pressure of air inside the Hyperloop tube is about one-sixth the pressure of the atmosphere on Mars. This means an operating pressure of 100 pascals, 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.
• The pod would get its initial velocity from an external linear electric motor, which would accelerate it to ‘high subsonic velocity’ and then give it a boost every 70 miles or so; in between, the pod would coast along in near vacuum.

Benefits:

• Supporters argue that Hyperloop could be cheaper and faster than trains and car travel, and cheaper and less polluting than air travel.
• It’s also potentially two or three times faster than even high-speed rail (and ten times the speed of regular rail services).
• They claim that it is quicker and cheaper to build than traditional high-speed rail; as such, Hyperloop could take the pressure off gridlocked roads, making travel between cities easier and potentially unlocking major economic benefits as a result.
• Being cheaper to build should mean these services can become profitable quickly.

Challenges:

• Plenty of engineering challenges need to be tackled which could push the costs up. Like building the tubes strong enough to deal with the stresses of carrying the high-speed pods, finding energy and cost efficient ways to keep them operating at low pressure.
• Lots of pods will be required to achieve the same passenger numbers as more traditional rail which uses much bigger carriages.
• How these services will be funded in the first place is not clear. These services can be financed through a combination of public and private investment.

Conclusion:

The technology is nascent as no hyperloop has actually been developed on a long distance. India has time to develop expertise in the field. Partnerships with companies like HTT and Virgin Hyperloop will help India decide as to how the technology can be cost effective. Also, meanwhile improving basic necessities like food, access to energy and house should be focused.