ADCP in Gangavaram Port: Ocean Current Measurement

1. Where is Gangavaram Port?

Overview of Gangavaram Port

Gangavaram Port is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a major port with large scale and considerable tonnage. The port has been designed to handle a wide variety of cargo, including iron ore, coal, containers, and other bulk and general cargo. In terms of scale, it has the capacity to accommodate large vessels, enabling efficient import and export operations.

The shipping routes connected to Gangavaram Port are extensive, linking it to numerous domestic and international ports. It plays a crucial role in facilitating the trade of the region and acts as a vital gateway for industries to access global markets. The port's management and operation are well - organized. There are dedicated teams for different aspects such as vessel traffic management, cargo handling, and customs clearance. Advanced technologies and automated systems are employed to enhance the efficiency of these operations. For instance, automated cargo-handling equipment helps in quick loading and unloading of containers and bulk materials, reducing the turnaround time of ships.

Port Facilities

Berths: It has various berths that vary in characteristics. Deepwater berths can handle huge bulk carriers and container ships. Each berth is equipped with a modern mooring and docking facility to ensure that ships arrive and leave safely. The bollards and fenders fitted on the berths are strong enough to take all the forces from the tugs during the process of docking.

Cargo-handling Equipment: Along the quay, there is a diverse range of cargo - handling equipment. For handling bulk materials like iron ore and coal, there are conveyor systems and large-capacity grabs. For container handling, gantry cranes with high - speed and precision-loading capabilities are installed. These cranes can efficiently move containers between the ships and the port's storage areas.

Storage Facilities: There is an extended storage facility for various types of cargo. For bulk materials, there are large-scale stockpiles with proper drainage and dust-suppression systems to maintain environmental and operational safety. For containers, there are well-organized container yards where containers can be stored and retrieved easily. The port has a bulk terminal with liquid cargo in tank storage, which also have related facilities and safety measures, including spill-containment barriers and fire-protection systems. A channel and Navigation Aids: The channel at the port has been dredged to the proper depth and width necessary to accommodate ships.

Channel and Navigation Aids: The channel at the port has been dredged to the proper depth and width necessary to accommodate ships. Navigation aids include buoys, beacons, and radar systems that help ships enter the port and leave it. The radar systems update constantly on the position and movement of other vessels in the vicinity to help avoid collisions and ensure smooth navigation.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Gangavaram Port?

Importance for Port Operation and Management

The measurement of ocean currents at Gangavaram Port is of great importance due to a number of reasons. Firstly, it is for vessel navigation safety. Ship captains must be well-informed about the speed and direction of the ocean currents while approaching the berths or navigating the channel of the port. Strong cross-current near the berth will make the act of docking difficult and hazardous. For instance, when there is a strong current pushing a ship away from the berth while trying to dock, careful adjustments in speed and angle of approach by the captain might be required for smooth, safe docking. Precise current measurements can reduce the risk of collisions with the berth or other vessels significantly.

It is also crucial for the optimization of the port's operations. Current data helps the port authorities in scheduling the arrival and departure of ships more efficiently. Understanding the tidal currents and other regular flow patterns allows them to make better use of berthing resources. For example, vessels can be timed to arrive during those periods when the currents are favorable for quick and easy docking and undocking, thereby hastening the processes of loading and unloading. In addition, knowledge of current patterns permits better planning of cargo-handling operations. If the currents are favorable, then cargo transportation between the ships and the storage sites can be done in a smoother way, thus increasing the overall productivity of the port.

From an ecological point of view, in case of an accidental spill of pollutants like oil or chemicals from the ships or the port's storage facilities, a good understanding of ocean currents is required to predict the direction of the spill. The obtained information enables immediate action to enforce the containment and mitigation processes for reducing the damage to the environment. Based on the aspects mentioned above, related to operation, safety, and protection of the environment in a port, an accurate and convenient measurement method such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) for ocean current measurement is quite useful in Gangavaram Port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

The working of ADCPs is based on the Doppler principle. Whenever an acoustic signal is sent by the ADCP current profiler into the water, the signal interacts with the moving water particles. Since these water particles are moving due to the ocean current, they act as a frequency-shifting element to the reflected acoustic signal received back by the ADCP flow meter. Due to the Doppler effect, this frequency shift is proportional to the water flow velocity. The magnitude and direction of this frequency shift can be analyzed by the ADCP profiler to calculate the speed and direction of the ocean current at different depths in the water column. This it can do by emitting signals at various angles and different depths to create a profile of the ocean current, illustrating exactly how the current is changed with depth.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement Methods

Shipborne ADCP: One is called a shipborne ADCP installed on ships operating within Gangavaram Port. During trips around the port area, the ADCP flow meter continually emits acoustic signals into the water underneath it. The movement of the ship enables the ADCP profiler to provide current data over a wide area of the site. For example, during a routine survey of the port by a research or inspection ship equipped with a shipborne ADCP, it can gather data on the current patterns across various parts of the port, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of the water flow situation.

Fixed ADCP: These fixed ADCPs are deployed in strategic, stationary locations around the port at fixed points either on the seafloor, where there might be very narrow and busy shipping traffic or other critical pathways in or out of the facility. This class of ADCP meter monitors ocean currents continuously in their respective positions over time. This gives data applicable in studying normal regular patterns of the current across any particular site within the facility. For example, a bottom-mounted ADCP installed at the entrance of the port can continuously measure the inflow and outflow currents to study the tidal variations and other steady features of flow there.

4. What's required for good quality measurement of Gangavaram port currents?

Equipment Requirements

Good quality measurement of currents around Gangavaram port requires some essential features in equipment. First and foremost, reliability of material is of paramount importance. The equipment has to be resistant to the harsh marine environment. Seawater contains salts and other chemicals that can gradually corrode materials. Moreover, this equipment must withstand pressure variations at different levels of water and the mechanical forces driven by waves and currents. Therefore, materials with high resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress are preferred.

These can be summarised as a small size, light in weight, and low power consumption. A compact size is good for easy installation in many different locations at the port, whether on ships, on fixed structures such as piers, or on the seabed. A lighter weight facilitates processes of installation and transportation. Lower power consumption ensures that the equipment can operate continuously for long periods without the need for frequent battery replacements or excessive power supply, which is especially important for long-term monitoring applications.

Cost is another important factor. A lower cost enables the port to deploy a larger number of measuring devices for more comprehensive current monitoring across different areas of the port.

The Advantage of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

ADCP profiler casings are best made from titanium alloy. Titanium alloy has outstanding corrosion resistance, which means that it maintains its structural integrity and functionality even when exposed to seawater for a long period of time. Its high strength-to-weight ratio allows the construction of a durable yet relatively lightweight casing. For instance, where there is higher water pressure at Gangavaram port, it could be a deeper place. An ADCP current profiler with its casing made of titanium alloy could resist the pressures of that depth and keep delivering appropriate current measurements.

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

Selection Based on Usage

Shipborne ADCP: If the aim is to conduct wide-area surveys of the port waters while the ship is in operation, then shipborne ADCP is a suitable choice. In this way, it can cover different sections of the port while the ship moves around, collecting a large amount of data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall current situation in the port. This will be useful for mapping general patterns of flow and variations within different areas of the port waters.

Sitting - bottom ADCP: The sitting - bottom ADCPs would be better suited for the fixed - point, long-term monitoring of selected points inside the port. That is to say, this device is applicable near key infrastructure or locations that depict complicated current behavior. They record the data on the currents at the same position over and over, giving much useful information on the local current features and the possible evolution over time.

Buoy-mounted ADCP: When the installation of fixed equipment on the seabed or on ships is not convenient, buoy-mounted ADCPs can be applied. They float on the water surface and are capable of measuring currents in the upper layers of the water column. They are relatively easy to deploy and, if necessary, easily redeployed; thus, they are suitable for monitoring certain dynamic or hard-to-reach areas within the port.

Frequency Selection

Different frequencies are selected based on water depth at Gangavaram port. For instance, for a water depth up to 70 m an ADCP current meter with 600 kHz can be found generally acceptable since this frequency class could generally provide the best overall performance regarding current measurements in these waters since these are rather shallow depths. For deeper waters of about 110 meters, an ADCP flow meter at a frequency of 300 kHz is highly advisable, while for very deep areas in the port with a depth up to 1000 meters, an ADCP profiler should operate at a frequency of about 75 kHz to guarantee dependably profiling the currents within this depth.

There are several well - known ADCP brands in the market, such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, there is also an excellent Chinese ADCP brand - China Sonar ​PandaADCP. It is made entirely of titanium alloy material, which not only ensures its durability in the marine environment but also offers an excellent cost-performance ratio. For more information, you can visit its official website: (​https://china-sonar.com/).

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