ADCP in Ocean Current Measurement of Weihai Port

1. Where is Weihai Port?

Weihai Port is located at Weihai, Shandong Province, China. It is on the coastal area of the Yellow Sea; hence, it has an important position for sea trade and transportation in the region.

Port Scale and Throughput

Scale: The port is of considerable scale, with developed infrastructure. There are many terminals in the port, including a container terminal, bulk cargo terminal, liquid cargo terminal, etc. Besides, there are many berths, of which some deep-water berths can accommodate middle and large-sized ships such as container vessels and bulk carriers.

Throughput: Weihai Port has a considerable annual throughput. Weihai is an important shipping hub for almost all types of cargo. The major bulk cargo includes coal, iron ore, grains, and building materials. The container throughput is also growing steadily and plays an increasingly important role in both domestic and international trade.

Routes and Business

Routes: The port has an extensive connection with the shipping route network. Domestically, it connects with major ports along the coast of China. On an international scale, it has trade relations with ports in South Korea, Japan, and other countries in Northeast Asia. To this end, routes remain so vital for carrying goods from one region to another. 

Business: The business operations of Weihai Port have been enormously diversified. These businesses run from the import and export of industrial products to agricultural products, as well as energy resources. Such value-added activities at the port involve warehousing, logistics, and cargo-handling operations.

Port Management and Operation

Weihai Port is organized on the basis of a well-structured and integrated management system: the port authority regulates entrance and departure, berth allocation, and communicates other relevant coordination pertaining to cargo-handling procedures. Advanced technologies, such as automated container-handling systems and intelligent shipping-scheduling software, are adopted to optimize operations. Safety and security are utmost important. Stringent safety regulations ensure protection of workers, ships, and cargo. Management process encompasses environmental protection measures that help to minimize the impact port activities have on the marine environment.

Port Facilities

Container Terminals: The container terminals at the ports have modern quay cranes and gantry cranes. These cranes are fitted with high-speed, high-capacity loading and unloading controls in order to handle containers speedily and in big numbers. The storage yards are also fitted with modern container-stacking systems for orderly storage and retrieval. 

Bulk Cargo Terminals: Bulk cargo handling is facilitated by facilities such as conveyor belts, stockyards, and loading equipment. It is built in such a way that the complexity of handling many bulk materials on the ship is done with much efficiency and least spillage. 

Liquid Cargo Terminals: The liquid cargo terminals are within an integrated system of pipelines, storage tanks, and loading arms. Most of them have safety features like spill containment and fire protection systems in order to handle oil and chemical products.

hannel and direct shipping

Weihai Port has well-maintained channels with good depth that are able to accommodate big vessels. Besides, direct shipping services to major international ports such as South Korea and Japan have promoted its competitiveness. Due to these direct routes, there is a decrease in transportation time and costs, which furthers economic and trade relations.

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

Impact on Ship Navigation

It is very important to measure the ocean currents in Weihai Port because it helps in the navigation of ships. Currents may affect the speed and course of the ship while going into and out of the port. Since Weihai involves a lot of shipping traffic around its port, accurate current information helps captains adjust speed and course accordingly. It helps in avoidance of collisions and more efficient docking and undocking procedures.

Influence on Cargoes Handling

The flow of ocean currents can affect the efficiency of cargo-handling operations. Such influencing operations may include the processes of loading and unloading bulk cargo or containers, where strong or unpredictable currents may make it difficult to operate cranes and other handling gear precisely. Measurement of currents helps the port plan cargo-handling operations better by taking into account current conditions at the time of scheduling so as to minimize unnecessary vessel waits, hence maximizing overall work efficiency.

Environmental Monitoring

Ocean current measurement has a vital role in environmental monitoring at the port area. In cases of oil spills or other pollutants, the current data can help in predicting the direction and speed with which the contaminants would travel. In turn, this enables the port to take preventive and remedial measures on time and protect the marine environment. Therefore, the measurement of ocean current is much easier and more convenient with ADCP current meter than with the old technique, which makes it very useful in the operations at Weihai Port.

3. How do the ADCPs based on the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) operates according to a widely known frequency shift principle called the Doppler Principle. When an acoustic signal is transmitted into the water by the ADCP, it is scattered by the particles and other substances floating in the water. Because the water particles are moving with the ocean current, due to the effect of Doppler the frequency of the scattered signal received back by the ADCP current profiler will be different than the transmitted frequency. This frequency shift can then be measured and used in the calculation of the velocity of the water particles and thus the velocity of the ocean current.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement: Shipborne ADCP

Shipborne ADCPs are those installed on ships. During the movement of the ship in the Weihai Port area, it undertakes continuous transmission and reception through acoustic signals provided by an ADCP doppler. It can measure ocean currents at different depths along the path in which the ship has sailed. The data obtained can be used to analyze current conditions in areas where the ship is navigating and hence provide information valuable for navigation and other purposes.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are normally installed in specific positions at Weihai Port, like piers or buoys. The in situ ADCP flow meter themselves do not move; they monitor the currents of the ocean around their position. These long-term and stable current data, which they could provide, are of great importance to understand the general trend and changes in the port area over time.

4. What does it take to measure currents at Weihai Port with high resolution?

Equipment Requirements

Material Reliability: Materials in the equipment should be of very high reliability. They must withstand the harsh marine environment which consists of corrosion by seawater, high humidity, and even impacts from floating objects. 

Small size, light weight, and Low Power Consumption: A small-sized, lightweight ADCP meter contributes to installation and operational convenience, especially in the case of shipborne ADCPs. In addition, low power consumption enables equipment to operate for an extended period without the frequent replacement of batteries or high-power supply requirements, an important attribute for both fixed and shipborne ADCPs. 

Low Cost for Mass Measurement: The equipment cost needs to be relatively low so that large-scale current measurement could be carried out in the port. In this way, it will be easy to deploy several ADCPs at different locations in the port to gain more comprehensive current data.

Advantage of Using Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

Titanium alloy is a perfect material for ADCP profiler casings. The advantages are as follows:. It boasts excellent corrosion resistance and, accordingly, is resistant to the corrosive effects of sea water, while at the same time ensuring long-term stability and reliability for the equipment. Besides, its strength-to-weight ratio is very large, which means it can provide enough strength while keeping the weight relatively low, thus meeting the requirements of small size and light weight. Thirdly, good thermal stability of the titanium alloy ensures normal work of equipment in different temperature environments in the area of Weihai Port.

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

According to the Use Purpose

• Shipborne ADCP: When the measurement is mainly on board ships, it will be appropriate to use shipborne ADCP. It will move with the ship and measure currents across different areas of the port depending on the movement of the ship.
• Sitting - Bottom ADCP: Sitting-bottom ADCP would be a good choice for long-term fixed-point monitoring of the current at a particular location in Weihai Port. It is usually installed on the seabed and can continuously monitor the currents in its surroundings.
• Buoy - Type ADCP: Buoy - type ADCP is suitable for the applications where real - time monitoring of the currents in a certain area of the port is required. The buoy can float on the water surface and the ADCP on it can measure the currents around it.

Selection Based on Different Frequencies

• The different frequencies of ADCPs are suitable for different water depths. Such as 600 kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths within 70 m. That can provide more detailed current data in relatively shallow water areas. For instance, the 300 kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths within 110 m, and the 75 kHz ADCP is for much deeper water of up to 1000 m. It allows consideration of the actual water depth conditions with regards to correct measurement for currents at different levels of Weihai Port.

There are several well - known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for those looking for cost - effective options, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is highly recommended. 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.