ADCP in Ocean Current Measurement of Fuzhou Port

1. Where is the Position of Fuzhou Port?

Fuzhou Port is one of the important ports in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port is reasonably big in scale, having many types of cargo terminals. In recent years, its throughput has kept on increasing. It also plays an important role in promoting regional container transport, bulk cargo transport, liquid chemical cargo transport, and trade. Container throughput has reached a considerable volume for instance, and it forms a vital hinge in the connection between domestic and international routes of trade.

Shipping Routes and Business Fuzhou Port has an extensive network of shipping routes, with regularly scheduled liner services connecting it with major ports all over Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world. This involves a broad range of business operations that comprise the import and export of general merchandise, energy resources transportation like coal and oil, and handling of industrial raw materials.

Management and Operation of the Port

The managing teams operate the port under the guidance of professionals who are entrusted with the smooth functioning of the port activities, like berth allocation, coordination in cargo-handling activities, as well as entry and exit of ships in a safe and efficient manner. Advanced management systems are in place to monitor and manage the overall operation process from the arrival of the ships right through to loading/unloading cargo.

Port Facilities

Fuzhou Port is equipped with a series of modern facilities. There are many deep-water berths for large vessels. The container terminals have modern handling equipment, such as quay cranes and gantry cranes, to load and unload containers efficiently. Besides, storage areas of various types of cargo are available, from large warehouses storing general merchandise to specialized storage tanks storing liquid chemicals.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The port area maintains good channels with adequate depth to accommodate vessels of different magnitudes. This is boosted by the established direct shipping services to some of the key international ports, hence greatly reducing travel time and enhancing trade competitiveness. For example, direct shipping routes to the ports of Southeast Asia have boosted economic and trade exchanges between Fuzhou and these regions.

2. Why is it necessary to measure Fuzhou Port's ocean current currents?

Accurate measurement of currents of ocean currents in the Fuzhou Port is quite important, both for port operation and management.

Impact on Ship Navigation

Ocean currents can have significant effects on both speed and course for vessels entering as well as leaving the port. Measured currents enable port authorities and ship captains to better plan routes for vessels. This enables safer, easier navigation. If there is a strong current flow in one direction, for instance, vessels may be able to change their courses and speeds far enough in advance such that they will not be forced too far off from their intended course, or even into a difficult docking situation.

Influence on Cargo Handling Ocean currents might influence cargo handling as well. If the currents are too fast or irregular, this could create problems during loading and unloading for the cranes and the other handling equipment. Knowledge of the current conditions would allow more precise scheduling of cargo handling operations, thereby reducing the number of accidents and enhancing work efficiency.

The measurement of ocean currents also contributes to environmental monitoring in the port area. Currents are able to change the pattern of dispersion for petroleum and other types of contamination. If actual current data are available, it becomes feasible to predict the direction of spread of the pollutants and adopt timely preventive and curative measures for marine environment protection at the port.

Compared to the traditional methods, ADCP current meter is a more advanced and convenient way of measurement. It enables real-time and continues current data with high accuracy, which is very helpful in the comprehensive management of Fuzhou Port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

Based on the Doppler principle, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) work by. When an acoustic signal is transmitted into the water by the ADCP current profiler, the signal will be scattered via particles and other substances in the water. These water particles are moving with the ocean current; thus, due to the Doppler effect, the frequency of the scattered signal received back by the ADCP will be different from the transmitted frequency. By measuring this frequency shift, the velocity of the water particles and therefore the velocity of the ocean current is calculable.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement: Shipborne ADCP

Shipborne ADCP doppler is installed on ships. While the ship moves around the port area, the ADCP flow meter sends and receives continuous acoustic signals. It can measure the range of currents at different depths around the path of travel the ship has gone through. Data gathered can be analyzed to determine the current status in the area in which the ship is sailing for the purpose of assistance in navigation or other ship operations.

Fixed ADCP

The fixed ADCP meter is normally installed at fixed locations within the port, on structures such as piers or buoys. These instruments will not move; rather, they continuously monitor the ocean currents that pass through their vicinity. Because of this, they can easily provide long-term and stable current data, which is very helpful for an overall understanding of the current patterns and their changes in the port area.

4. What does it take to obtain high-quality measurement of Fuzhou Port currents?

Equipment Requirements

It means that various equipment-related factors must be considered in order to make high-quality measurements of currents in Fuzhou Port.

Material Reliability

The materials used in equipment should be very reliable and withstand quick corrosion by seawater, high humidity, and probably impacts by floating objects.

Small in Size, Light in Weight, and Low Power Consumption

It should be of small size and lightweight for easy installation and transportation, particularly in the case of shipborne ADCP profiler. Low power consumption is also very important because it can enable the instrument to work continuously for longer periods without frequent battery replacements or excessively higher power supply, which is favorable for both fixed and shipborne ADCPs.

Low Cost for Mass Measurement

It will be very desirable if the equipment cost is relatively low to enable large-scale measurement in the port. Then, several pieces of acoustic doppler flow meter can be deployed at different locations inside the port to get more comprehensive current data.

Usage of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing: Advantages

Amongst all, titanium alloy is one of the best choices for ADCP casing. Following are some of the major advantages:. First, titanium alloy is very resistant to corrosion and thus can effectively resist the corrosive effect of seawater, ensuring long-term stability and reliability for equipment. Second, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which means that while possessing enough strength, the weight can be kept relatively low, meeting the requirements of small size and light weight. It has good thermal stability, necessary for the normal work of equipment in different temperature conditions of the port area.

5. How to Choose Appropriate Equipment for Current Measurement?

Based on Purpose of Use

In Fuzhou Port, when selecting current measurement equipment, its use purpose should be considered.

Shipborne ADCP

As most of the measurements are done on ships, then shipborne ADCP would be appropriate since it may move along with the ships and measure the currents in different areas of the port as the ship navigates.

Sitting-Bottom ADCP

To monitor the currents at some place in the port for a long time or with a fixed point, the sitting-bottom ADCP can be used. It is usually installed on the seabed and can monitor the currents around itself continuously.

Buoy-Type ADCP

Buoy-type ADCP is suitable for applications requiring real-time monitoring of currents in a certain area of the port. The buoy can float on the water surface and the ADCP on it can measure the currents around it.

Selection Based on Different Frequencies

Acoustic doppler velocity meter of different frequencies are fitted for different water depth, such as 600 kHz ADCP for the water depth within 70 m. It can provide more detailed current data in relatively shallow water areas. 300 kHz ADCP is for water depth up to 110 m, while the 75 kHz ADCP is suitable for far deeper water, up to 1000 m. Thus, depending on the real water depth in Fuzhou Port, currents at different depths can be measured with accuracy by using 300 kHz and 75 kHz interchangeably.

Within the ADCP market, there exist some well-known brands: Teledyne RDI, Nortek, Sontek. As for those customers who look for economical and cheap devices, I will strongly recommend one Chinese company: China Sonar PandaADCP. First of all, this is an all-titanium alloy material which ensures quality and life, with an unbelievably good price/performance ratio at the same time. More details can be found on its official website: https://china-sonar.com/.

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