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

1. Where is the Port of Kilrush?

The Port of Kilrush is situated on the west coast of Ireland. It is a major port with a long history of maritime activities and plays an important part in the local and regional economy.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port is of a moderate scale, dealing with a wide variety of cargo, such as agricultural products, fishing catches, and general merchandise. The throughput is considerable; the focus is on both imports and exports. It serves as an important link for trade between the local area and other Irish ports and international destinations. The fishing industry is an important contributor to the port's activity, with a number of fishing vessels operating from here.

Routes and Business

Kilrush port is well-connected through shipping routes. It has connections to other Irish ports and also engages in some international trade. The business activities are multifaceted. The fishing operations involve the landing and processing of catches, and the sale of fish products. Additionally, it is involved in the transportation of agricultural goods such as grains and livestock. Furthermore, handling of general cargo, both as containers and bulk cargo, is part of its dealing.

Port Management and Operation

The management is committed to efficient and safe operations. The berthing of vessels is well planned to ensure smooth docking and undocking. Stringent safety and security arrangements exist to safeguard the port infrastructures, vessels, and cargo. The port personnel oversee the handling of goods right from the arrival of a ship until it leaves, to ensure that there is a smooth flow of operations.

Port Facilities

Different facilities are integrated into the structure of the port. The port has several berths, which can accommodate vessels of various sizes, from small fishing boats to medium-sized cargo ships. There are storage areas, including warehouses and open-air yards for various types of cargo. Advanced cargo-handling equipment, such as cranes, forklifts, and conveyor belts, is employed to help in the loading and unloading of goods. There are also facilities for the fishing fleet, such as fish-handling and cold-storage areas.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The channel of the port is kept to the depth so that ships can pass through it safely. For this purpose, dredging is regularly carried out to maintain the depth level. It has direct shipping links, which facilitate fast and efficient transportation of goods. These links are necessary for the port to play its role in the supply chain and also to enhance trade within the region.

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

Measurement of current in the Port of Kilrush is quite fundamental. The safety of the navigation of vessels in and out requires accurate data for current conditions. In view of the port location and also the presence of all the vessel types, current conditions are critical for entering and leaving with a view to ship safety. Currents could reduce a vessel's capability, especially when in narrow channels and around berths. With accurate current measurements, the port can give better navigational guidance to ships, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

Secondly, current measurements are one of the most important factors in efficient port operations. Currents can influence the speed and precision of cargo handling. For example, when loading or unloading a ship, the position of the vessel can be affected by the current. With accurate current data, the port can optimize the scheduling of these operations and make the best use of its berthing facilities.

Finally, from an environmental perspective, understanding the ocean currents is important for managing potential pollution incidents. Currents can determine the spread of pollutants such as oil spills or other harmful substances. By measuring the currents, the port can take proactive measures to minimize the environmental impact and protect the marine ecosystem in and around the port. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) provides a more advanced and convenient method of current measurement compared to traditional techniques.

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

ADCPs work on the principle of the Doppler effect. They send acoustic signals into the water. These signals scatter off moving particles in the water, like suspended sediments or small organisms. When these acoustic signals are reflected back to the ADCP meter, a frequency shift, because of the Doppler effect, occurs. The ADCP measures this frequency shift and calculates the velocity of the water particles, which in turn gives the velocity of the ocean current.

Ship-borne ADCP

Ship-borne ADCPs are those mounted on vessels. When the ship is in motion over the port area and beyond the waters, the ADCP profiler sends acoustic pulses in various directions, often downwards and sidewards. The device measures current velocity at multiple depths while the ship is in motion. This results in a very thorough profile of the current conditions along the path traveled by the ship, thereby yielding a proper understanding of the prevailing current patterns in the areas covered by the ship.

Fixed ADCPs

Fixed ADCPs are installed at specific locations in the port, which include the seabed and quay walls. These ADCPs provide continuous current measurements with the same point over the record period. The gathered information through a long period is the actual tool that determines long-term features of currents at fixed points of the current pattern at certain important spots of the port-like the channel entrance or near berth locations.

4. What is necessary for high-quality measurement of Kilrush port currents?

The equipment to measure the ocean currents in the Port of Kilrush should be made from reliable materials. Since seawater is corrosive and may cause physical damage to the device due to the marine environment, it should be resistant to these conditions. Small size, light weight, and low power consumption are also advantageous. A compact and lightweight ADCP current meter is easier to install and operate, whether on a ship or at a fixed location. Low power consumption allows for continuous operation without frequent battery replacement or high energy demands. Cost-effectiveness is also a key factor in enabling wide-scale deployment in the port.

The casing of ADCP flow meter is preferably made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy has excellent corrosion resistance in seawater, ensuring the long - term integrity of the device. It also has a high strength - to - weight ratio, meaning it can be strong and durable while maintaining a relatively low weight. Additionally, titanium alloy is biocompatible, which reduces the potential negative impact on the marine environment.

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

The choice of the right equipment for current measurement in the Port of Kilrush depends on the specific requirements.

Ship-borne ADCP

This is suitable when a broad overview of the current conditions in different parts of the port is needed. While navigating around the port, the ship-borne ADCP could collect data from various locations, therefore giving a wide-range view of the current patterns in the port waters.

Bottom-mounted (Sitting on the seabed) ADCP

This type of ADCP is ideal for long-term and fixed-point monitoring. It can be installed at strategic points in the port, such as at the entrance of the channel or near the berths, to continuously monitor the current conditions in those specific areas.

Buoy-mounted ADCP

Buoy-mounted ADCPs are useful for applications where the installation of a fixed device on either the seabed or on a ship is not practical. They can be deployed at open water areas within the port and measure the current at various depths.

With regard to frequency selection, different frequencies apply to different water depths: a 600 kHz ADCP for up to 70 meters, a 300 kHz ADCP for up to 110 meters, and a 75 kHz ADCP for as deep as 1000 meters of water.

There are well-known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, there is also a Chinese ADCP brand, China Sonar PandaADCP. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, which ensures its durability in the marine environment and offers an excellent cost-performance ratio. You can find more information on its website: (https://china-sonar.com/).

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