ADCP Application for Ocean Current Measurement in Motril Port

1. Where is Motril Port?

Motril Port is situated on the southern coast of Spain. The port is large and forms an important part of the regional maritime activities.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port has a considerable throughput, handling all kinds of diversified cargo. It is an important player in the import and export of agricultural products, with fruits and vegetables from the fertile region of Granada. Besides these, the handling of container traffic, general cargo, and bulk shipments also lies within its policy. The annual volume of cargo that moves is quite substantial, while ships load and discharge goods throughout the year.

Routes and Business

Motril Port is well integrated into international shipping routes. It serves as a connecting point between the Mediterranean and other European and African ports. The business activities are very extensive, from shipping services to logistics operations and warehousing. The port also has a growing cruise ship sector, as it is a gateway to the beautiful coastal and inland tourist destinations of the region.

Port Management and Operation

The management is effective and concerned with the issue of safety and security. They have a well-developed system for traffic control to handle the movement of ships. The infrastructure, which includes docks, quays, and storage facilities, is managed by the port authority, together with observance of environmental and safety regulations.

Port Facilities

The port is also well endowed with modern facilities, including deep-water berths that can accommodate large container ships and bulk carriers, advanced cargo-handling equipment like cranes, forklifts, and conveyor belts that expedite the processes of loading and unloading, and expansive storage areas, including temperature-controlled warehouses for perishable goods.

Channel and Direct Navigation

Motril Port has a well-maintained channel that ensures safe access for ships. The depth of the channel is good enough for large vessels to enter and leave smoothly. Various navigation aids such as buoys, beacons, and radar systems allow for direct navigation to and from the port.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Motril port?

Ocean currents have to be measured in Motril port for many reasons. The first is shipping safety. Understanding the patterns of the current allows ship captains to better plot their approaches and departures. With the pre-knowledge of the direction and speed of the currents, ships will be able to adjust courses and speeds to ensure smooth and safe docking.

Current measurements are needed for the commercial operation of the port in order to handle cargo efficiently. The tugboats have to be aware of the current conditions for better assistance during the docking and undocking of ships. Furthermore, information on currents helps in the proper management of moored ships, preventing them from drifting and causing damage to the port infrastructure or other vessels.

This would also be highly valuable from an environmental point of view for the waste management of the port and sediment control, as currents may influence both the dispersal of pollutants and sediments. Measurement of currents thus enables better waste disposal methods and prevents sediments from building up and reducing the depth of the channel or berths. It provides a more accurate and efficient measurement of such currents than that achieved by conventional methods.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

ADCPs work on the principle of Doppler. They send out acoustic pulses through the water column. These pulses meet the particles of water-for example, suspended sediment, plankton, or simply small particles of water-and reflect back with some change in frequency because of their motion. The ADCP measures the frequency difference between the emitted and received signal. It calculates the velocity of the particles due to the Doppler equation, representing water current. The ADCP can measure the current velocity at several depth points within a water column; it can be treated as one vertical profile of the current.

Ship - borne ADCP

Ship-borne ADCPs are installed on vessels. While the ship moves around the port area, the ADCP continuously emits and receives acoustic signals. Data collected while the ship is in motion gives a bigger picture of the current patterns in different parts of the port. This type of ADCP is useful to survey a wide area and obtain current data in real time.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are deployed at fixed points in the port, either on the seabed or on a pier. They measure the current continuously at that point. These are of particular value when monitoring the long-term current pattern in areas of high traffic, or near critical port infrastructure, such as the entrance of the channel or the berths.

4. What does it take to carry out high-quality measurements of the currents of Motril port?

High-quality current measurement in Motril Port requires an array of state-of-the-art features in equipment. The equipment must be manufactured with a robust material to make it withstand the hazardous conditions of the sea. The size must be small in order to allow easy mounting, particularly in space-constrained locations such as on board or within full facilities.

The weight of the ADCP should be light to simplify the installation process and put less load on the supporting structures. The power consumption should be low to enable continuous operation without a large power supply. Cost-effectiveness is an important factor since the port may need to deploy several units for comprehensive current measurement.

The casing of the ADCP is preferably made of titanium alloy. The corrosion resistance is very good, essential in the salty marine environment. Besides, it is strong enough and light enough, fulfilling the requirements of durability and installation ease.

5. How to Choose the right equipment for current measurement?

Based on Usage Purpose

Ship-borne ADCP: this would suit mobile measurements. This is most useful in vessels that may normally move within the area of the port-for example, container ships, bulk carriers, and cruise ships. Ship-borne ADCPs do provide one means of determining currents along the ship's track, which proves quite helpful in obtaining some feeling about general current patterns over the port area.

Bottom-mounted ADCP: These work well in a fixed-point mission. They are mounted at the bottom, placed on the seafloor near docks, channels, and other important areas in a port. Bottom-mounted ADCPs make continued measurements of currents in one place and form part of the crucial components for the observation of the current condition of a particular locality.

Buoy-based ADCP: These are appropriate for areas where the installation of fixed-bottom or ship-borne ADCPs is not convenient. They can provide current measurements in open water areas of the port and have the relative ease of deployment and maintenance.

Frequency-Based

The choice depends upon the water depth. At deep water levels, lower frequency is chosen, whereas in shallow water levels, higher frequency is selected. The 600kHz ADCP would be suited for water depths of up to 70m in the Motril port for the shallower areas nearshore or innermost parts of the port, while the 300kHz ADCP is suited for water depths up to 110m and thus might cover a wider range of depths. For the waters deeper in the port area, the 75kHz ADCP will work well for water depths that go up to 1000m and could be used in spots like the approach channels.

There are well - known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, a Chinese brand, China Sonar PandaADCP, is also a great option. It is made of all - titanium alloy material, providing excellent durability and a high level of corrosion resistance. It also offers an attractive cost - performance ratio. You can visit their website (https://china-sonar.com/) for more details.

Here is a table with some well known Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) instrument brands and models.