ADCP in JSW Jaigad Port: Ocean Current Measurement

1. Where is JSW Jaigad Port?

Overview of JSW Jaigad Port

JSW Jaigad Port is located in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. It is a significant port that plays a crucial role in handling cargo for the JSW Group and other industries. The port has a substantial scale and throughput, mainly dealing with iron ore, coal, and other bulk commodities.

The shipping connections of JSW Jaigad Port are well - established, connecting it to other domestic and international ports. It is a crucial link in the transport of raw materials and finished products for the steel and other related industries. The management and operation of the port are effective. There are specialized teams for vessel traffic management, cargo handling, and other port-related activities. Advanced technologies such as automated cargo-handling systems and digital tracking mechanisms are implemented to further enhance the operations of the port.

Facilities at the Port

Berths: The port is provided with several berths that are able to accommodate bulk carriers of big sizes. These berths are given strong mooring facilities to receive heavy vessels loading iron ore and coal. The berths for other types of ships, such as service vessels, are also available.

Cargo-handling Equipment: There is the appropriate cargo-handling equipment alongside the quay. For bulk shipments of iron ore and coal, there are large-capacity grabs and conveyor systems that assure efficient transfer of cargo from the ships to the storage areas.

Storage Facilities: Extensive storage areas are available for various cargos. For bulk, there are large-scale stockpiles with proper drainage and dust-suppression systems. Besides these, there are warehouses for storing other miscellaneous goods and equipment.

Channel and Navigation Aids: The channel at the port is kept at a depth and width appropriate for safe passage. The dredging operations are often undertaken to keep it navigable for the large-draft vessels. There are navigation aids like buoys, beacons, and radar systems that would help guide the ships in and out of the port.

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

Importance for Port Operation and Management

Measuring ocean currents in JSW Jaigad Port is of great importance. Firstly, for the safety of vessel navigation. The knowledge of current directions and speeds is crucial for ship captains when approaching berths or navigating through the channel. A strong cross - current near a berth may render docking an uphill task. With the aid of accurate current measurements, captains can easily make proper course and speed adjustments that provide for smooth and safe docking and reduce the possibility of collision.

Secondly, it is required to optimize the port's operations. The data of the current date is utilized in the better scheduling of arrival and departure of the ships. Understanding the tidal currents and other regular flow patterns also allows the port authorities to manage berthing resources more effectively, and plan loading and unloading activities. This improves productivity since it allows better coordination of cargo-handling operations.

In addition, knowledge of ocean currents is useful from an environmental point of view for the prediction of the spread of pollutants in case of an accidental spill. Considering the kind of cargo handled in this port, such as coal and iron ore, which may have associated pollutants, this information allows for a quick response to contain and mitigate the environmental damage. Based on the above factors, a proper and easy measurement method, which is ADCP or Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, is considerably useful in the ocean current measurement of JSW Jaigad Port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

The principle of operation for ADCPs applies to the Doppler principle. The acoustic signal, once transmitted into the water from the ADCP profiler, interacts with moving particles in the water. In an ocean current, the water particles are already in motion; hence, while reflecting the acoustic signal, their frequency gets shifted because of the Doppler shift of the reflected acoustic signal which is received back by the ADCP meter. The frequency shift is related to the velocity of the flow. By analyzing the frequency shift, the ADCP current profiler calculates speed and direction. By emitting signals at multiple angles and different depths, the ADCP current meter can create a profile of the ocean current, showing how the current varies with depth.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement Methods

Shipborne ADCP: A shipborne ADCP is installed on ships operating in the JSW Jaigad Port area. As the ship moves around the port, the ADCP flow meter continuously emits acoustic signals into the water below. The movement of the ship enables the ADCP profiler to cover large areas and collect current data across various locations. For instance, in a routine survey of the port by a research or inspection ship fitted with a shipborne ADCP, it would be able to gather data on the current patterns over different parts of the port and give a comprehensive understanding of the water flow situation.

Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs are located at specific fixed positions within the port, like on the seabed near important navigation areas or at the entrance/exit of the port. These ADCPs keep on monitoring the ocean currents at their fixed positions continuously for a long period. Such data collected is useful for analyzing the regular current pattern in specific areas of the port. For example, a bottom-moored ADCP installed in the vicinity of the port entrance would be able to measure the currents going in and coming out and thus allow understanding of tidal effects and other steady features of flow at that location.

4. What's needed for high - quality measurement of JSW Jaigad port currents?

Equipment Requirements

The measurement of the currents in JSW Jaigad port requires certain equipment characteristics for high-quality measurement. First, material reliability is important. The equipment should be able to resist the harsh marine environment in terms of corrosion by seawater. Seawater contains salts and other chemicals that may cause material corrosion after some time. The equipment also needs to resist pressure changes with depth and mechanical forces by waves and currents.

The second is the need for a smaller size, lighter weight, and reduced power consumption. A compact size allows for easier installation at various locations in the port, whether on ships, fixed structures like piers, or on the seabed. A lighter weight makes both the installation and transportation of the device easier. Lower power consumption also means that the equipment can operate for very long periods without necessarily changing the batteries or using too much power, which is essential in long-term monitoring applications.

Cost is another important aspect: A lower cost will enable the port to deploy more measuring devices for wider current monitoring across different areas of the port.

The Advantage of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

ADCPs are preferably housed in casings made of Titanium alloy. It is for this reason that the titanium alloy would not corrode, thus retaining both its structural and functional characteristics even after being submerged for a long time in seawater. Its high strength - to - weight ratio provides a durable yet relatively light casing. For example, in deeper parts of the JSW Jaigad port where higher water pressures prevail, an ADCP current profiler with a casing made of a titanium alloy will easily resist such pressures and continue with the measurement of currents accurately.

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

Selection Based on Usage

Shipborne ADCP: Where the objective is to carry out wide-area surveys of the port waters during vessel operations, shipborne ADCP would be quite appropriate. It can cover different sections of the port as the ship moves around, collecting a large amount of data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall current situation in the port. This is useful for mapping the general flow patterns and variations across different areas of the port waters.

Sitting-bottom ADCP: Sitting-bottom ADCPs are more suitable for long-term and fixed-point monitoring of certain positions in the port, such as near main infrastructure or areas with complicated current behaviors. They are able to continuously record the current data at those fixed positions, providing valuable insights into the local current characteristics and any changes over time.

Buoy-mounted ADCP: When it is not convenient to install fixed equipment on the seabed or on ships, buoy-mounted ADCPs can be used. They float on the water surface and are able to measure the currents in the upper layers of the water column. They are relatively easy to deploy and can be relocated if needed, making them suitable for monitoring certain dynamic or hard-to-reach areas within the port.

Selection Based on Frequency

The choice of frequency for ADCPs depends on the water depth in JSW Jaigad port. For areas with a water depth of up to 70 meters, an ADCP flow meter with a frequency of 600 kHz is usually a good choice as it can provide accurate current measurements in this relatively shallow depth range. For deeper waters, up to about 110 meters, an ADCP current meter with a frequency of 300 kHz would be more advisable. And for extremely deep sections of the port with water depth reaching as much as 1000 meters, an ADCP flow meter with a frequency of 75 kHz is recommended for reliable profiling of the ocean currents at such great depths.

There are several well - known ADCP profiler 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.