ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in the Port of Bekker

1. Where is Bekker port?

Overview of Bekker Port

Bekker Port is an important maritime facility with a large scale. In terms of throughput, it provides massive cargo every year, and cargo types include containers, bulk cargoes, such as grains and coals, and liquid cargos, such as oil and chemicals. It has several shipping routes which connect Bekker to many domestic and international ports. The routes have already brought Bekker a much-extensive trade activity in which one can import and export anything from everywhere around the world.

It applies advanced management systems in managing and operating the ports, ensuring efficient handling of vessels, cargoes, and interdepartmental coordination within the port. There are professional teams to ensure berthing arrangements, customs clearance, and logistics support to assure smooth running of operations at the ports.

Port Facilities

The port is provided with state-of-the-art facilities. This includes several deep-water berths that can handle the largest vessels, from container ships to bulk carriers. Along the quaysides, there are installed modern cranes that are intended for quick and safe loading and unloading of containers and heavy cargos. Warehousing facilities are also well-developed; there is enough storage space of different types to meet the needs for either short-term or long-term storage.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The channel of the port is kept sufficiently deep and wide to facilitate safe passage through it. Dredging work goes on in rotation so that even vessels with very large drafts can enter and leave the port without any inconvenience. It has direct shipping links with many major ports in the world, which minimizes transportation time and expenses for the goods in transit.

2. Why do we have to measure ocean currents in the Bekker port?

Significance to Port Operation and Management

Analysis of ocean currents in the Bekker port is quite vital. Firstly, it will be greatly helpful during the planning of vessel berthing and departure because current data will be obtained accurately. This allows port authorities to schedule entry and exit more precisely, reducing waiting times and improving efficiency within the port. For instance, if there is a strong cross-current when a ship is approaching the berth, it can well make an earlier course correction with speed adjustment to facilitate safe and smooth docking.

It means, primarily, safety in navigation within the port area. Currents may influence the maneuverability of vessels, and once the captains have detailed current information, they can take more appropriate decisions to avoid either a collision or running aground. Secondly, acquaintance with ocean currents aids in the deployment of port facilities like buoys and floating docks by directing where these devices would be optimally situated to minimize the impact of currents on them and reduce instability.

Lastly, for purposes of environmental protection and resource management, current measurement data can be used to predict the distribution of pollutants or spilled materials in the waters of the port. Thus, early response and proper treatment can be done to minimize the environmental impact. Based on these aspects, an accurate and convenient measurement method is urgently needed, and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is a more advanced and user-friendly ocean current measurement device in the port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler Principle Work?

Measurement Principle

ADCPs work on the principle of the Doppler. An acoustic signal emitted by the ADCP into the water intersects with moving water particles. Because of the Doppler effect produced by movement of the water, the frequency of the reflected signal received back by the acoustic doppler flow meter will shift. With the help of a frequency shift of the reflected acoustic signals, the velocity of water flow in different directions at different depths can be calculated. This allows for profiling of ocean currents and a detailed picture of how it varies with depth.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement Methods

Shipborne ADCP: In this type, the ADCPs are fitted on ships. When the ADCP is on a ship and sailing in the port area, it continuously sends acoustic signals into the water. Since the ship will be taking different routes in the area of the port, it can collect current data over a wide area. The advantage is that it can cover a relatively large area and get data from different areas of the port waters. This may be carried out, say, when a research vessel fitted with a shipborne ADCP undertakes a routine survey of the port and maps the pattern of currents over the different areas of the port.

Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs are installed in assigned locations around the port-that is, on the sea floor or on piers. It provides continuous monitoring of ocean currents at the fixed points it is in over a long period. This gives long-term, stable data to understand the regular patterns of currents in specific areas of the port. For example, a fixed ADCP installed near the entrance of the port can record the currents coming in and going out continuously, which is useful for analyzing the tidal effects on the water flow within the port.

4. What's required for quality measurement of Bekker port currents?

Equipment Requirements

The measurements of the currents in the Bekker port have to be of high quality; thus, several aspects have to be considered regarding this equipment.

First of all, material reliability is very important. Such equipment has to resist the quite aggressive marine media, including corrosion caused by seawater, pressure changes at different depths, and the impact caused by waves.

Second, smaller size, lighter weight, and lower power consumption are preferable. A small size makes its installation in various locations-both on ships and fixed positions-easier. A lower weight is advantageous for installation and transportation, while low power consumption ensures its longer operation time without frequent battery replacement and/or excessive power supply.

Besides, a lower cost can enable large-scale deployment for comprehensive current monitoring in the port area.

The Advantage of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

The casing of ADCP current profiler is preferably made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy has remarkable advantages in the marine environment: It has excellent corrosion resistance, which means it can support structural integrity and functionality even in seawater for a long period of time. Its high strength-to-weight ratio allows for the construction of a durable yet relatively lightweight casing.

Besides, titanium alloy can resist powerful water pressures at larger depths, so it is suitable for those ADCPs that are used in the varied depth of water in a port. For instance, if an ADCP profiler is mounted in the deeper sections of the port channel to measure the currents in those areas, its casing made of titanium alloy would provide protection to the internal components.

5. How to select appropriate equipment for current measurement?

Selection Based on Usage

Shipborne ADCP: This would be appropriate where, for example, the major aim is to carry out wide-area surveys of the port waters during normal operational use of the ship. In this case, various parts of the port can be covered during routine sailing and a considerable quantity of data can be accrued over a long period of time for a general study of the overall current situation.

Bottom-mounted ADCP (Sitting on the Seabed): In the case of long-term and fixed-point monitoring for some places in the port, such as important berths, or places where currents are complex, bottom-mounted ADCPs are more suitable. They can record continuously at fixed positions the current data at those fixed positions with great value for the analysis of the current characteristic locally.

Buoy-mounted ADCP: When the installation of fixed equipment on the seabed or on vessels is not convenient for area monitoring, buoy-mounted ADCPs can be used. They float on the water surface and can measure the currents in the upper layers of the water column while being relatively easy to deploy and relocate if needed.

Selection Based on Frequency

Frequency selection is another important aspect. In general, areas that are considered relatively shallow, and whose water depth lies within 70 meters, can be fitted with a 600 kHz ADCP. It provides adequate current measurement with good accuracy in this depth range. For waters as deep as approximately 110 meters, a better option would be the 300 kHz ADCP flow meter. For very deep areas, at a depth of up to 1000 meters, an ADCP with a frequency of 75 kHz is recommended to ensure reliable current profiling in those great depths.

There are several well-known ADCP brands in the market, including Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, I have to recommend one excellent Chinese ADCP brand: China Sonar PandaADCP. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, which ensures durability not only in the ocean environment but also means an unbelievable cost-performance ratio. For more information, please visit its official website at: https://china-sonar.com/.

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