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

1. Where is Larne port?

Larne port is located on the east coast of Northern Ireland. It is a vital transportation hub in the region.

Port Scale and Throughput

Larne port has a high level of throughput, with the handling of containers, agricultural products, and industrial goods. It is important in the regional trade network, ensuring that goods are moved in and out of Northern Ireland. The scale of the port means it can act as a point of connection both domestically and internationally, while its handling capacity supports the economic activities of the surrounding areas.

Routes and Business

The port has well-established shipping routes that connect it to a variety of destinations. It also offers regular services to other ports in the UK and other European ports. In terms of business, it undertakes ferry operations, which help in ferrying passengers and vehicles. In cargo handling, it handles a wide range of commodities, from bulk goods, such as building materials, to high-value manufactured goods.

Port Management and Operation

The Larne port operates on the cornerstone of efficient management. The port authority has been responsible for ensuring that a variety of functions take place at the port, which includes berthing management: assigning vessels to suitable docking spaces in good time. The cargo handling activities are well managed to ensure that delays are minimal and that the flow of goods is smooth. Safety and security have also been paramount, with strict protocols in place in regard to the protection of infrastructure, vessels, and personnel.

Port Facilities

Modern facilities at Larne port basically complement its operations. It has into it several berths of varying sizes, which range from small fishing boats to larger freight carriers. Additionally, there are extensive warehousing and storage facilities to handle and store the diverse range of cargo. The port is also equipped with modern lifting and shifting equipment like cranes and conveyor belts for efficient handling of goods.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The channel is maintained to a high standard so that vessels can pass through it safely. Dredging operations are carried out in the channel to maintain the depth required for shipping. There are direct shipping connections to quickly deliver goods with less time and cost of transit. This is very important in the supply chain function of the port, allowing various regions to move goods easily and efficiently.

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

Measurements of the ocean currents within the Larne port will be crucial for several important reasons. The first one, this is done to ensure that vessel navigation is safe; the patterns of currents studied become guidelines to the ships both on entries and exist from the port. Strong and unpredictable currents can be very dangerous for ships, especially in narrow channels or during adverse weather conditions. With proper current measurement, the port will be able to give better navigational advice to ships, thus minimizing the chances of accidents.

Secondly, ocean current data is very important for the efficiency of port operations. Currents can affect the speed and accuracy of cargo handling. For instance, during the loading and unloading of ships, the position that the vessel assumes may be affected by the current. With proper current measurement, this will help in optimizing the scheduling of such operations and hence reduce the time that vessels spend at berth, increasing the overall efficiency of the port.

Finally, the understanding of ocean currents is important for environmental protection. Currents can influence the dispersion of pollutants and sediments in the port area. Measuring currents enables the port to manage and predict possible environmental impacts, like the spread of oil spills or deposition of harmful substances. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) provides a more advanced and convenient method for current measurement compared to traditional techniques, enabling real-time and accurate data collection.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

ADCPs work on the principle of Doppler. They send acoustic signals into the water. When those signals encounter the moving particles in the water - like plankton or suspended sediment - the frequency of the reflected signals shifts through the Doppler effect. By measuring the frequency shift, the ADCP current profiler can compute the velocity of the water particles and hence the velocity of the ocean current.

Ship-borne ADCP

Ship-borne ADCPs are mounted on vessels. While the ship is navigating through the port area, the ADCP current meter sends acoustic pulses downward and sideways into the water. The device measures current velocity at different depths while in motion, creating a profile of the current conditions along the ship's path. This means that the current patterns in the area covered by the movement of the ship are comprehensively understood.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are installed at specific locations within the port, such as on the seabed or on pier structures. These devices continuously monitor the current at a fixed point. The data collected over time provides valuable information about the long - term current characteristics in key areas of the port, which is useful for analyzing trends and making strategic decisions regarding port operations.

4. What do Larne port currents need in order to have high-quality measurement?

The equipment in the measurement of ocean currents in Larne port requires reliable materials for high quality. The nature of seawater is corrosive, and due to the physical damage within the marine environment, it requires the equipment to be able to bear such circumstances. A small size with lightweight and low power consumption is also among the desirable characteristics. Smaller and lighter devices are easier to install and operate both on a ship and at a fixed location. Low power consumption allows for continuous operation without frequent battery replacement or excessive energy demands. Cost-effectiveness is another important factor that enables the wide deployment of current-measuring devices within the port.

The casing of ADCP profiler is preferably made from titanium alloy. The corrosion resistance that titanium alloy provides in seawater is great, which is seriously important for the long-term function of the device. Mechanical properties are also very important in this design: high strength to weight ratio allows the device to be strong but also keep the weight relatively light. Moreover, titanium alloy will be biocompatible, thus have a lower impact on the marine environment and reduce the risk of negative interaction with the ecosystem.

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

The choice of the right equipment for current measurement in Larne port depends on the specific application.

Ship-borne ADCP

This is suitable where a wide-area survey of the current conditions is required. The ship-borne ADCP can collect data from various locations as the ship travels around the port, giving a more general view of the current patterns in the waters around the port.

Bottom-mounted (Sitting on the seabed) ADCP

This type of ADCP meter is suitable for monitoring over a long period, even for fixed-point monitoring. It can be installed in strategic locations within the port, like at the entrance to channels or near berths, to continuously monitor the current conditions in those specific areas.

Buoy-mounted ADCP

Buoy-mounted ADCPs are useful in areas where the installation of a fixed device on the seabed or on a ship is impracticable. They can be deployed in open water areas within the port to measure currents at different depths.

When it comes to frequency selection, different frequencies are suitable for different water depths. For example, a 600 kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths up to 70 meters, a 300 kHz ADCP for depths up to 110 meters, and a 75 kHz ADCP for much deeper waters up to 1000 meters.

There are several well - known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, there is also a Chinese ADCP brand, China Sonar PandaADCP, that is worth considering. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, ensuring 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.