ADCP Application to Ocean Current Measurement in the Port of Dirhami

1. Where is the Dirhami port?

Introduction to Dirhami Port

The port of Dirhami is a busy water transportation hub playing a vital role in the region. It has seen a gradual increase in its size over time. It handles a huge amount of various cargo regularly. It handles different kinds of cargo: general merchandise, industrial raw materials, and consumer goods. The port has been able to come up with an efficient shipping route network connecting it to other near and far ports in different parts of different continents. Its wide route network allows it to play a very crucial role in international trade and regional economic exchanges.

The management and operation of the port are very efficient. There are professional teams managing various departments like vessel traffic control, cargo handling operations, and customs clearance procedures. Advanced information systems are utilized to coordinate work in various departments to ensure a smooth flow of goods and vessels in and out of the ports.

Port Facilities

Dirhami port is facilitated with a range of modern facilities. The terminal has several berths that can accommodate various sizes of ships-from medium-sized coastal vessels to the largest ocean-going vessels. Along the berths, there is advanced loading and unloading equipment such as gantry cranes and conveyor belts, which can handle containers, bulk cargos, and other types of shipments with much precision and speed. The port's storage facilities include vast warehouses and open areas to accommodate whatever amounts of goods need to be stored temporarily or for a longer period, as may be required.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The channel at the port is well looked after to ensure ships entering and leaving the port are done safely. Its depth and width are of a dimension that enables vessels with great drafts to enter and leave with ease. Regular dredging operations are carried out for keeping the channel in optimum shape. Regarding direct shipping, Dirhami port has direct connections with most of the key ports in the world, which reduces transportation time and thus cost for the goods being transported, increasing their competitiveness in the global shipping market.

2. Why measure ocean currents in the Dirhami port?

Significance to the Operation and Management of the Port

The measurement of ocean currents in the port of Dirhami has several important aspects of its functioning and management.

First, it is highly important for the optimization of vessel traffic in the area of the port. Knowledge of directions and speeds of currents helps captains and port authorities plan the berthing and departure of ships more effectively. For example, if at a certain berth there is a strong tidal current, using accurate measurements of current allows vessels to make adjustments in their approach angles and speeds well in advance to ensure smooth and safe docking. This alone can help improve the efficiency of port operations and reduce the risk of an accident, such as a collision with the berth or other vessels.

Secondly, an acquaintance with ocean currents is essential both for the placement and maintenance of port infrastructure. Buoys, floating docks, and other buoys would have to be situated, taking into consideration the effects of currents for stability and functionality. Secondly, the information on ocean currents would help in simulating the spread of pollutants or oil spills in the event of any accidental releases into the port waters for quick response and containment to reduce environmental damage.

In general, since current information at any given time is crucial for the smooth operation and safety of the port, a measurement methodology must be reliable and efficient. In that context, ADCP stands out as superior and much handier against more conventional methods for measuring ocean currents in the Dirhami port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

The principle of the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) underlying its mode of operation is that of Doppler. When the ADCP current meter sends an acoustic signal into the water, this signal interacts with the moving water particles. Due to the movement of these water particles, a frequency change in the reflected acoustic signal received back by the ADCP occurs. According to the Doppler effect, which relates the frequency shift to the velocity of the moving objects-in this case, the water particles-the ADCP flow meter can calculate speed and direction. Because it emits signals at several angles and depths, it is able to develop a profile of the ocean current, showing how the current varies at different depths within the water column.

ADCP in Methods of Port Ocean Current Measurement

Shipborne ADCP: This installed on ships which operate within the Dirhami port area. As the ship moves within different parts of the port, the shipborne ADCP continuously sends acoustic signals down into the water. It covers a relatively large area as the ship moves along its routes, collecting current data from many locations. During a regular surveying of the port with a research or monitoring vessel using a shipborne ADCP, for instance, it is able to collect the very important data on current patterns over different lengths of the facility, thus developing a meaningful view of general water flow conditions.

Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs are placed at specific locations in the port, either on the seabed near navigational channels or other points where continuous current monitoring is important. Therefore, they become stationary and measure the ocean currents continuously from those fixed positions over a longer period of time. This provides long-term and stable data, which is useful for analyzing the consistent patterns of the currents in specific areas of the port. For instance, a fixed ADCP installed near the entrance of the port can constantly record the incoming and outgoing currents, providing insights into tidal effects and other regular current variations in that region.

4. What’s needed for high-quality measurement of Dirhami port currents?

Equipment Requirements

To achieve high-quality measurement of the currents in the Dirhami port, several factors regarding the equipment are of great importance. Firstly, the material reliability of the measuring devices cannot be overlooked. The equipment should be resistant to the severe marine environment and withstand the corrosive action of seawater, highly corrosive for its salt content, and support the pressure changes according to the depth of the water. The equipment also has to bear the mechanical effects of wave motions and other hydrodynamic forces.

Having smaller size, lesser weight, and lower power consumption is extremely desirable. Smaller size allows for installations in a wide diversity of locations within the port, whether on ships, on fixed structures like piers, or on the seabed. The lighter weight makes installation easier and also more convenient in terms of transportation and deployment. It ensures that the equipment can operate with less power consumption and for longer periods continuously, thereby avoiding the need for frequent replacement of batteries or excessive power supply arrangements, which again is quite vital in monitoring applications over a longer period of time.

Besides, it's also about cost. The lower the cost, the more devices the port can deploy, and the more extensive and comprehensive current monitoring it can have across different areas of the port.

The Advantage of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

For ADCPs casing, titanium alloy can be one of the best options. In the marine context, titanium alloy has a number of advantages. Its outstanding corrosion resistance would mean stability in structure and functionality even when being in contact with seawater for an extended period of time. A high strength-to-weight ratio allows for the construction of such casing that is sturdy enough to protect the internal components of the ADCP from external pressures and impacts, yet relatively lightweight. For instance, an ADCP fitted with a casing of titanium alloy will be able to withstand such pressures in deeper parts of the Dirhami port where higher water pressure exists and still provide current measurements accurately.

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

Selection Based on Usage

Shipborne ADCP: If the goal is to carry out extensive surveys of the port water areas during ship operation, then the most suitable choice would be shipborne ADCP. With the movement of a ship, it may cover different regions of the port and collect a wealth of data that can provide a detailed picture of the general current situation in the port. This helps in interpreting the general flow patterns and variations across the different sections of the port waters.

Sitting-bottom ADCP: For long-term and fixed-point monitoring of specific locations within the port, like areas close to critical infrastructure or regions with complex current behaviors, sitting-bottom ADCPs are more appropriate. They can continuously record the current data at those fixed positions, providing valuable insights into the local current characteristics and any changes over time.

Selection Based on Frequency

The choice of frequency for ADCPs also depends on the water depth in the port. For areas in the Dirhami port with a water depth of up to 70 meters, an ADCP with a frequency of 600 kHz is typically a good fit. It can offer accurate current measurements in this relatively shallow depth range. Where deeper waters are concerned, such as up to about 110 meters, it is more advisable to use an ADCP with a frequency of 300 kHz. In cases where the section of the port is extremely deep-for instance, with a water depth of up to 1000 meters-it is recommended that a 75 kHz ADCP be used to ensure reliable profiling of the ocean currents at such great depth.

There are several well-known ADCP brands available in the market, including Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, there is also a remarkable Chinese ADCP brand worth noticing-China Sonar PandaADCP. It is made of titanium alloy material all over, not only guaranteeing its resistance in this harsh marine environment but also providing an excellent cost-performance ratio. For more information, please visit its official website: (https://china-sonar.com/).

Here is a table with some well known ADCP instrument brands and models.