ADCP in Ocean Current Measurement of Quanzhou Port

1. Where is Quanzhou Port?

Quanzhou Port is located in Quanzhou, Fujian, China. It is a well-known historical port with a long-standing maritime trade history.

Port Scale and Throughput

This port is enormous in size, with thousands of tons of cargo moved through every year. It is a crucial node for trade along the Southeast coast of China. From containerized goods to bulk cargo-grains and ores-to any type of industrial product, the throughput at the port encompasses it all. This has gradually increased the container throughput in the hub of international trade.

Routes and Business

The shipping routes from Quanzhou Port extend in all directions. It connects with more than a hundred domestic ports, such as Shanghai and Guangzhou; meanwhile, it has international routes reaching toward Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe. Its business engagement has extended from simple cargo transport in tradition to value-added warehouse storage, distribution, and processing of cargo.

Management and Operation of the Port

The Port Management System governs the port. It is responsible for organizing the movement of ships in and out of the harbor, berth allocation, and maintaining safety within the cargo operation processes. Advanced technologies are used in improving the operation process. For example, there is an intelligent scheduling system for ships and cargo handling equipment.

Facilities at the Port

It is a modern facility at the port. Deep-water berths with handling capacity can provide services for large-scale container ships and bulk carriers. Advanced quay cranes and yard gantry cranes mean fast and efficient handling of containers in container terminals. Equally well-equipped storage areas have temperature-controlled warehouses for perishable goods and large-scale open-air storage yards for bulk cargo.

Channel and Direct Shipping Quanzhou Port is in a good situation when it comes to the channels. The deepness of the channel can make sure that the ships of different tonnages can pass through smoothly. Direct shipping service plays an important role in developing trade. For example, direct shipping routes to the ASEAN countries have promoted the economic and trade cooperation between Quanzhou with these regions. Goods are transported more quickly and at a cheaper cost.

2. Why is it necessary to measure ocean currents in Quanzhou Port?

Impacts on Safety of Navigation

Also, the shipping schedule of the ships entering and leaving the port is strongly affected by ocean currents. If proper current measurement is taken, it will serve as a guide for the captains of ships to correctly adjust their route and speed. For a very busy port such as Quanzhou with many ships coming and going, knowing the direction and speed of the current will prevent collision and ensure safety in ship docking and undocking.

Cargo Handling Optimization 

The ocean current has a great influence on the efficiency of cargo handling. In normal conditions, when the current is too strong or unpredictable, it will not be appropriate for the operation of cranes and other loading and unloading equipment. With current measurement, ports can reasonably arrange the operating time of cargo handling machinery and decrease the waiting time of ships, thus improving the overall working efficiency.

Ecological Conservation

Measuring ocean currents is also important for environmental protection. If there are oil spills or other pollutants in the port area, the current data will be able to estimate the direction of pollutant spreading. This allows for timely response measures to be taken to minimize the impact on the marine environment. ADCP current meter is more efficient and accurate for measurement when compared to traditional methods; therefore, ADCP current profiler has been an ideal choice for Quanzhou Port.

3. How Do ADCPs Using the Doppler Principle Work?

Measurement Principle

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) work on the basis of the Doppler effect. An ADCP doppler sends an acoustic signal into the water, which gets scattered by the particles and organisms in the water. Due to the motion of the water-that is, the ocean current-the frequency of the returning scattered signal changes. The shift in frequency is used as a basis for calculating the ocean current velocity.

ADCP flow meter for Ocean Current Measurement in Port -Shipborne ADCP Shipborne ADCPs are installed on ships. While the ship is sailing in the port area, the ADCP meter  is able to continuously measure the ocean current at different depths along the path the ship is taking. Data collected can provide real-time information on the current situation, which would be of great value to the navigation and operation of the ship.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are usually set up in key positions in the port, such as on the quay or on fixed buoys. Such ADCP profiler may monitor the ocean current continuously in an area for a long period. Based on the obtained data they gathered, the long-term and stable characteristics of the ocean current in the port area can be grasped.

4. What is required for high-quality measurement of the currents at Quanzhou Port?

Requirements

The measurement equipment for the ocean currents in Quanzhou Port needs to be stipulated among other requirements for material reliability. The instrument in itself must be made of reliable material. Considering seawater's corrosiveness and the violence of the marine environment, good property materials against corrosion will ensure long-term stability and accuracy of measurement.

Small Size, Light Weight, and Low Power Consumption

A small-sized and lightweight ADCP benefits the installation and operation, which is of particular importance for shipborne ADCPs. Low power consumption enables the equipment to work over longer periods of time without frequent battery replacements and also without high-power supply requirements, which is very important for both fixed and shipborne acoustic doppler flow meter.

Low Cost for Mass Measurement

Besides, for the large-scale current measurement in the port, the equipment cost should be relatively lower. In this way, it is easy to deploy more acoustic doppler velocity meter at different locations inside the port for more comprehensive current data.

The Advantage of Using Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

That is why Titanium alloy is excellent for the ADCP casing, having excellent corrosion resistance against the corrosive seawater environment. On the other hand, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio that provides substantial enough strength while keeping the weight low. That answers the requirements of small size and light weight.

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

Selection of Equipment for Current Measurement at Quanzhou Port According to the Purpose of Use

Shipborne ADCP

Navigation during a voyage - if that is the main operation of measurement - then shipborne ADCP is suitable for option. That can move with the ship itself, and it is also capable of measuring current situations in various areas of the port.

Sitting - Bottom ADCP

It is a good option for long-term fixed-point current monitoring at some place in the port. Generally speaking, it is installed on the seabed and can monitor the current around it continuously.

Buoy-Type ADCP

Buoy-type ADCP suits applications that require real-time monitoring of the current in a certain area of the port. It is able to float on the water surface, and the ADCP on it can measure the current around it.

Based on Different Frequencies Selection

Different frequencies of ADCPs suit different water depths. For example, the 600 kHz ADCP suits the water depth within 70 m. That can give more detailed current data in a relatively shallow water area. The 300 kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths up to 110 m, and the 75 kHz ADCP for still deeper waters up to 1000 m. It enables the precise measurement of currents at various levels in Quanzhou Port due to consideration of the actual water depth of the site.

There are several well - known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for a cost - effective option, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is worth recommending. It is made of all - titanium alloy material and has an incredible cost - performance ratio. You can visit its website https://china-sonar.com/ for more information.

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