ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Sagunto Port

1. Where is Sagunto Port

The Sagunto Port is situated on the east coast of Spain, or more specifically speaking, within the Valencian Community. Its location has given this port, with great historical relevance, an importance along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Port Scale and Throughput

The scale of the port throughput is moderate. It mainly deals with bulk cargo, including ores, coal, and construction materials. In addition, it handles general cargo and containers. The annual volume of cargo is large enough to support the local industries and trade. It serves as an important link for the transportation of raw materials in the region to the industrial areas.

Routes and Business

Sagunto Port is integrated into regional and some international shipping routes. It is involved in the trade of goods with other Spanish ports and has connections with Mediterranean ports. The main business activities revolve around bulk cargo handling, which includes loading, unloading, and storage. It also provides support services such as ship repair and maintenance.

Port Management and Operation

The port management is concerned with efficient and safe operations. A traffic control system is in place for the control of ship movement. The facility of the port authority includes docks, storage areas, and cargo-handling equipment. Their responsibility also includes following environmental and safety legislation to reduce impact on the surrounding area.

Port Facilities

The port has facilities suitable for bulk cargo handling. There are deep-water berths to accommodate large bulk carriers. It has cranes and other cargo-handling equipment to facilitate the loading and unloading of ores and other heavy materials. There are also storage areas, including open-air yards for storing bulk cargo and warehouses for general cargo.

Channel and Direct Navigation

Sagunto Port has a well-maintained channel that is used to reach the sea. Navigation is fairly easy due to the good navigational channel and navigation aids like buoys and lights. All the ships can go directly to and from the port, thus smoothly allowing entry and exit of vessels.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Sagunto port?

For Navigation Safety

The measurements of ocean currents are needed at the Sagunto Port due to their importance in matters concerning the safety of ships. Knowledge of current patterns will definitely enable captains of ships to better plan their maneuvers of docking and undocking, taking into consideration the direction and speed of the currents, whereby they can adjust courses and speeds to avoid collision and safely approach the berths.

Efficient Port Operations

In its commercial operation, current measurements are among the important data required at the port. This will enable tugboats to assist effectively during the transfer of ships. Besides, information about the currents is needed for the correct management of moored ships to avoid drifting that could damage port infrastructure or other vessels.

Environmental Considerations

Basically, from an ecological perspective, the understanding of ocean currents aids in managing the waste from the port and sediment control. Currents are relevant in the dispersion of the pollutants and in sediment movements. By measuring the currents, the port is able to better manage the disposal of wastes to prevent accumulation in a manner that may reduce the depth of the channel or berths.

It provides a more accurate and efficient way of measuring these currents than traditional methods.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

The working principle of ADCPs is based on the Doppler effect. ADCPs send out acoustic pulses into the water. These pulses, after facing the particles in the water, shift their reflected sound waves to different frequencies owing to the motion of the particles.

The ADCP measures the frequency difference between the emitted and received frequencies. By using the Doppler equation, it calculates the velocity of the particles, which is proportional to the velocity of the water current. The ADCP current meter can measure the current velocity at different depths within the water column, providing a vertical profile of the current.

Ship-borne ADCP

The ship-borne ADCP is mounted on a vessel. During ship movements in the area around the port, the ADCP flow meter continuously transmits and receives acoustic signals. The measurements during the passage allow for the observation of large -scale views of current patterns in the different parts of the port.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are installed at strategic locations in the port, such as on the seafloor near the docks or at the channel entrance. These ADCPs continuously measure the currents at a given point. They are useful in monitoring the long-term current patterns affecting the daily operations of the port and the stability of its infrastructures.

4. What does Sagunto port current measurement require?

Reliable Equipment

To realize high-quality current measurement in Sagunto Port, the equipment should be manufactured with reliable materials. Since seawater is corrosive and the apparatus will be exposed to weather conditions, the material must be resistant to such factors.

Small Size

The small size ADCP is preferable since it would make the installation much easier, especially inside the relatively compact port facilities.

Light Weight

Weight of ADCP current profiler shall be light in order to simplify installation and to load as little as possible on the installation structures.

Low Power Consumption

Another decisive factor is low power consumption. In a port environment, it is more practical to have equipment that can operate continuously without requiring a large power supply.

Cost-effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness is important, too, as the port may have to deploy multiple units for comprehensive current measurement.

The casing of the ADCP meter is preferably made of titanium alloy. The reason for choosing this is because titanium alloy is very corrosion-resistant and would therefore be quite suitable for a marine environment. It is also strong yet light and thus meets the criteria of strength with ease of installation.

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

Based on Usage Purpose

• Ship-borne ADCP: These can be installed on vessels moving in the vicinity of the port area, like bulk carriers and general cargo ships. This gives a mobile way of measurement for currents, which also enables the understanding of the overall current pattern when it is travelling.
• Bottom-mounted ADCP: especially suitable for fixed-point monitoring at the docks, channel entrance, or other sensitive areas in a port. This provides a continuous record of current conditions in that one place and is particularly important to port safety and operations.
• Buoy-based ADCP: It is applied when fixed - bottom or ship-borne ADCPs cannot be conveniently installed. This buoy offers a floating alternative for the measurement of currents and may reach the open water of the port.

Based on Frequency

• Frequency will be selected depending on the water depth. In Sagunto port, the 600kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths up to 70m and can be used in the shallower areas near the shore or in the inner parts of the port. The 300kHz ADCP is appropriate for water depths up to 110m and can cover a wider range of depths. For deeper waters in the port area, a 75kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths up to 1000m and can be used in areas such as the approach channels.
• There are well-known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, a Chinese brand, China Sonar PandaADCP, is also a great option. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, providing excellent durability and a high level of corrosion resistance. It also offers an attractive cost - performance ratio. You can visit their website (https://china-sonar.com/) for more details.

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