ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Incheon Port

1. Location of Incheon Port

Incheon Port is situated on the west coast of South Korea and is proximal to the capital city, Seoul. It is a strategic port that has played a very important role in the country's economic development and international trade.

Port Scale and Throughput

Incheon Port is a large-scale port with an extensive infrastructure. It has a high tonnage throughput and can handle diversified cargo: from containers, bulk cargo, and liquid cargo. Container Terminal is an important facility for the Port. Over recent years, TEUs have grown from year to year. Furthermore, the following commodities are also handled with bulk cargo operation facilities: coal, grains, ores, and liquid cargo, with facilities including petroleum product terminals.

Routes and Business

The port has a well-connected network of shipping routes. Major ports in Asia, comprising China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, are connected to it. Connections with other continents such as Europe and North America are also there through trans-shipment. Import and export of goods is the major business of the port. It is a gateway to the international market for the products of South Korea, including the major ones like electronics, automobiles, and textiles, and imports raw materials as well as consumer goods.

Port Management and Operations

Incheon Port is managed by a professional and efficient port authority. The management focuses on smooth operations with the use of advanced technologies. It has modern cargo-handling equipment with a well-trained workforce. The port uses automated systems for container handling and efficient logistics management in order to reduce the turnaround times for vessels.

Facilities at the Port

It has ultra-modern facilities. The container terminals have jumbo quay cranes for transferring containers between vessels and huge ships. Bulk cargo terminals possess a number of machines for the handling of various bulk cargo materials. Further, there are oil terminals with storage reservoirs and pipeline systems. The port also offers ship-repair and maintenance services to maintain the ships in good condition.

Channel and Direct Shipping

Incheon Port has well-maintained channels capable of handling big-sized ships. In addition, the depth of the channels is efficient for deep-draught vessels. The great number of key ports it serves by direct shipment reduces costs and time of transportation, therefore providing a competitive advantage in the global market.

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

It is for several reasons that ocean currents in Incheon Port are measured.

Safety of Navigation

Accurate knowledge of ocean currents is vital for ensuring the safety of ships. Currents can affect the speed and course of a ship. Understanding the current patterns at a busy port like Incheon, with high vessel traffic, helps pilots navigate through it more safely. Strong currents near the port entrance or in narrow channels may lead to collisions or grounding. By measurement, such risks can be minimized.

Cargo Handling Efficiency

Currents can affect ships' stability at load or discharge and cause inefficiency in handling. For instance, failure in the right aligning of a ship resulting from currents slows up the pace at which its load may be received and cargo taken out. A measurement of current provides for more correct timing for activities by the ports' administrators in developing schedules. This minimizes inefficiencies.

Environmental Protection

Currents also play an important role in the dissemination of pollutants in the area of the port. In cases of oil spills and release of dangerous goods, the current pattern would definitely be imperative for predicting the direction of pollutant spreads. It also allows the implementing of rapid and more effective measures aimed at protection against marine and coastal pollution.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) is a more advanced and convenient means of measuring ocean currents compared to traditional methods. The data obtained by it is quite accurate and real-time, hence very useful for the smooth functioning of Incheon Port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

ADCP Measurement Principle

The ADCPs work on the principle of the Doppler effect. The device sends acoustic signals into the water. While these signals pass through water and move the particles in it-sediments or even small organisms-the frequency of the reflected signals is changed. If the particles are moving towards the ADCP, the frequency of the reflected signal is increased; it decreases if they move away. The ADCP calculates the velocity of the water in which these particles are suspended by measuring the frequency shift.

Specific ADCP Methods in Current Measurement in Ports

Ship-borne ADCP

A ship-borne ADCP is mounted on the hull of a ship. The ADCP measures the current velocity at various depths below the ship as it moves along its path. It produces a profile of the current over that part of the track that the ship travels over. It is useful in mapping the overall patterns of the currents in the port area and approaches to the port.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are those placed at locations in the port near the berths or at any other critical point in the channels. An ADCP, in these locations, performs continuous monitoring of current velocity and direction for a particular point. They provide long-term, high-resolution data that becomes useful in describing the local characteristics of currents impacting berthing and unberthing and other port-related activities.

4. What does the good quality measurement of currents in the Incheon Port require?

Equipment Reliability

The ADCP equipment for Incheon Port requires very high dependability upon operation for reliable current measurements. Relating to this, ADCP also has to be able to bear the marine surroundings that are unfriendly to highly occurring waves, salty water, and cold winters for its reliable operation. Material used in making ADCP is of high class to ensure a long-time operational period without continuous breakdown.

Small in size, light in weight, and low power consumption

The ADCP shall be small and lightweight. It should be easily mountable on ships or at fixed locations. The light weight also reduces the load on the installation structure. Low power consumption is indispensable in particular for fixed-mounted ADCPs that may depend on battery power or limited power sources. This enables the instrument to run continuously over long periods.

Low Cost

The equipment cost should not be too high to allow the deployment of ADCPs in great numbers in the port for full current measurement. A less costly ADCP enables multiple units installed at several locations with increased detail and extent in current data.

Casing Made of Titanium Alloy

The casing of the ADCP is made preferably from titanium alloy. Corrosion resistance for titanium alloy is excellent, surely needed in the case of seawater at Incheon Port. Additionally, it is lightweight, making the ADCP more portable and easier to set up. Besides, the strong and robust metal withstands physical stress or mechanical impacts arising within the marine environment.

5. How to Choose Proper Equipment for Current Measurement?

Application

Ship-borne ADCP

If the purpose is to map overall current patterns in the port area during ship movements, a ship - borne ADCP is the one that should be used. It would be able to provide a continuous stream of data as the ship navigates through different parts of the port.

Bottom-mounted (Sit-on-bottom) ADCP

For long-term measurement of current conditions at a specific location near the seabed, like areas where sediment transport is an issue, a bottom - mounted ADCP is suitable. It can provide detailed information about the current behavior close to the seabed.

Buoy-mounted ADCP

An ADCP mounted on a buoy can be used when the focus is on measuring current profiles in a more mobile and flexible way. The buoy can move with the currents, which can give a better understanding of the dynamic current patterns in the port.

Based on Frequency

The ADCP at 600kHz will be good in waters as deep as 70m for high-resolution current measurement. The ADCP of 300kHz shall be good to go in as deep water as 110m and 75kHz is quite appropriate for as deep waters as 1000m.

There are well-known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for a cost - effective option, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is recommended. It is made of all - titanium alloy materials and offers an excellent cost-performance ratio. You can visit their website at (https://china-sonar.com/) for more information.

Here is a table with some well known Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) instrument brands and models.