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

1. Where is Miiduranna Port?

Overview of Miiduranna Port

Miiduranna is a coastal port that contributes significantly to the facilitation of the local maritime transport and trade. It is moderately scaled, with infrastructure capable of accommodating various vessels and cargo types. The port's throughput includes different goods, like fishing products, agricultural produce, and light industrial items. It has shipping routes that connect it with local nearby fishing ports and other local trading ports for facilitating such essential goods.

Management and operation in Miiduranna port are for efficiency and sustainability. There are teams for vessel traffic management, cargo handling, and observing the safety of operations. It also puts forth cooperation with local fishermen and farmers in the most efficient flow of their products. For example, the quick processing and storage facilities for fresh fish and perishable agricultural goods.

Port Facilities

It also has a number of facilities that support its operations. There are berths of various sizes that can accommodate fishing boats, small - to - medium - size cargo ships, and other vessels. Cranes and hoisting equipment capable of handling typical cargo in the area are also available. Storage facilities include cold storage for fish and dry storage for other goods. Moreover, the port is equipped with a fueling station and other minimal maintenance facilities for vessels.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The channel in the port maintains a depth and width to facilitate safe transportation for local vessels. It is designed with respect to the size of ships that commonly operate here. Miiduranna port is located in front of neighboring ports and fishing areas, which are vital for local fishing and trading activities. This therefore means the direct connections reduce time and costs for shipment of goods.

2. Why is it important to measure the ocean currents in the Miiduranna Port?

Importance for the Operation and Management of the Port

It is very important to measure ocean currents in Miiduranna port. Firstly, this is for the safety of fishing and cargo vessels. Knowledge of the current patterns and velocities helps the captains navigate better through the port area. For example, during peak seasons when fishing is at its best, and hence there are a lot of boats on the water, accurate information about currents will help avoid collisions and ensure smooth entry and exit of boats.

Second, it helps in the better operation of the port. Once the present patterns are known, the berth utilization and the timing for loading and unloading can be planned more effectively. For example, if any berth is experiencing a major tidal current, the working hours can be changed or more instructions can be provided to the ship to carry out the process efficiently.

Besides that, from an environmental perspective, knowing the currents of the ocean helps in predicting the spread of any potential pollutants in case of an accident. This is also important for a port dealing with fishing and some industrial material. Considering the above-mentioned factors, such a valuable advanced and convenient measurement method as ADCP flow meter is highly valued for ocean current measurements at Miiduranna port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

The ADCPs work on the principle of Doppler. When the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) sends out an acoustic signal into the water, it scatters off the moving water particles. Since these water particles are moving due to the ocean current, they Doppler shift the frequency of the reflected acoustic signal when it returns to the ADCP flow meter. According to the Doppler effect, this frequency shift has a magnitude dependent on the velocity of the water flow. By analyzing the frequency shift, the ADCP profiler can calculate the speed and direction of the water flow. By emitting signals at multiple angles and at different depths, the ADCP current profiler can create a profile of the ocean current, showing how the current varies with depth.

ADCP in Methods for Measuring Ocean Current in the Port

Shipborne ADCP: The shipborne ADCP is installed on ships operating in the Miiduranna Port area. While navigating the ship around the port, the ADCP profiler continuously sends acoustic signals into the water beneath it. The movement of the ship enables the ADCP current meter to map an extensive area and obtain current data from various locations. For instance, when a research or inspection ship with a shipborne ADCP makes a routine survey of the port, it may collect data on current patterns across different parts of the port and create a detailed overview of the water flow condition.

Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs are set up at certain fixed locations within the port, for instance, on the seabed near important navigational areas or at the entrance/exit of the port. These ADCPs continuously monitor the ocean currents at their fixed positions over a long period. The data collected is useful for analyzing the regular current patterns in specific areas of the port. For example, one bottom-mounted ADCP at the entrance to the port might record the currents in and out, providing information about the tidal effects and other regular features of flow there.

4. What does one need for high-quality measurement of currents in the Miiduranna Port?

Equipment Requirements

Such measurement of currents in Miiduranna Port requires equipment with specific characteristics related to material reliability. The equipment should be made resistant against the aggressive marine environment, especially seawater, which may cause corrosion. The contents of salt in seawater contribute much to its corrosive nature. At the same time, the equipment has to bear the pressure variations at a different depth of water and various mechanical forces caused by waves and currents.

Consequently, smaller size, lighter weight, and lower power consumption are preferable. Small size would facilitate installation in any location in the port-either on ships, fixed structures, or piers, or even on the seabed. A lighter weight would be easier to install and to handle during transportation. It would minimize power consumption and, therefore, allow equipment to operate continuously for extended periods without the need for frequent replacement of batteries or excessive power supplies, which is often particularly important for applications related to long-term monitoring.

Cost is also one of the major factors. With a lower cost, the port can deploy more measuring devices for the widespread monitoring of currents across various areas of the port.

The Advantage of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

It is preferable to fabricate the casing using a titanium alloy in the ADCPs. Titanium alloy has excellent corrosion resistance-that is, it can maintain structural integrity and functionality despite the impact of sea water on its metal for continuous periods of time. Its high strength-to-weight ratio enables the building of a strong yet relatively lightweight casing. For example, for higher water pressures in the deeper parts of the Miiduranna Port, an ADCP current profiler with a casing made of titanium alloy will be able to sustain such pressure and carry out current measurements accurately.

5. How to Choose right equipment for current measurement?

Selection Based on Usage

Shipborne ADCP: If the objective were to carry out wide-area surveys of port waters while the ship is in operation, this would be a good choice. It can span all the sections of the port as the ship moves along and amass a lot of data for a general view of the current situation in the port. This gives the ability to map the general flow patterns and their variations across different areas of the port waters.

Sitting-bottom ADCP: Long-term, fixed-point monitoring of certain places in the port, such as near important infrastructure or areas with complex current behaviors, would be more appropriately carried out by the sitting-bottom ADCPs. These can record the current data continuously in fixed positions, providing very useful insights into the local current characteristics and any changes over time.

Buoy-mounted ADCP: When it is not possible or not convenient to install fixed equipment on the seabed or on ships, 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. They are relatively easy to deploy and can be relocated if needed, making them suitable for monitoring certain dynamic or hard-to-reach areas within the port.

Frequency Selection ADMCPs are chosen based on the water depth in Miiduranna Port. An ADCP current meter with a 600 kHz frequency is usually well suited in areas where the water depth is around 70 m or shallower since it offers accurate current measurements at these relatively shallow depths. If the waters are deeper, up to about 110 meters deep, a 300 kHz ADCP is more advisable. And in very deep parts of the port, having a water depth reaching as high as 1000 meters, an ADCP profiler operating at a frequency of 75 kHz would be highly recommended in order to profile the ocean currents at such depth with good reliability.

There are some well-known ADCP flow meter brands in the market, such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, there is also an excellent Chinese ADCP brand-China Sonar PandaADCP. It is made entirely of titanium alloy material, which not only ensures its durability in the marine environment but also offers an excellent cost - performance ratio. For more information, you can visit its official website: ( https://china-sonar.com/ ).

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