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

1. Where is Paradip Port?

Overview of Paradip Port

Located on the east coast of India, Paradip Port is in the state of Odisha. It is a deep-water port with large-scale and high-throughput capacity. The port is well-recognized for its handling of a wide variety of cargo, such as iron ore, coal, fertilizers, petroleum products, and containers.

The shipping routes of Paradip Port link it with almost all major ports globally. As such, it is an essential facility for the export of minerals and the import of industrial and consumer goods. The management and operation of the port are effective and very organized. There are vessel traffic management teams, cargo handling teams, and others for safety and security. Advanced technologies such as automated cargo-handling systems and electronic communication devices are applied for efficient functioning of the port and smooth cargo flow.

Port Facilities

Berths: The port has several berths with varying characteristics. There are deep-water berths designed to handle large bulk carriers for iron ore and coal. These berths have robust mooring facilities to handle heavy vessels. Then again, there are berths for container ships and tankers.

Cargo-handling Equipment: Along the quay, there are a variety of cargo - handling equipment. For handling bulk materials such as iron ore and coal, there are large - capacity grabs and conveyor systems. For petroleum products, there are pumping and transfer systems. For containers, gantry cranes are used to load and unload them efficiently.

Storage Facilities: There are spacious storage facilities for various types of cargoes. For bulk cargo, there is provision for large stockpiles with adequate drainage and dust-suppressing mechanisms. There are storage tanks for petroleum products, which have features for safety such as spill containment barriers. It has container yards and warehouses for storing general cargo.

Channel and Navigation Aids: The channel of the port is dredged to adequate depth and width for safe passage of vessels. It undergoes periodic dredging to ensure accessibility for large-draft vessels. Buoys, beacons, and radar systems have been installed to aid in guiding ships into and out of the port.

2. Why do we have to measure the ocean currents in Paradip Port?

Need for Measurement in Relation to Port Operation and Management

It is very important to measure currents of the ocean in Paradip Port. Primarily, because of vessel navigation safety. Information on directions and speeds is vital for every captain's decision-making while approaching the berths or navigating the channel. A strong cross-current near a berth might make the process of docking tricky and hazardous. Precise current measurements enable captains to properly adjust course and speed, allowing for smooth and safe docking, thus reducing the possibility of collision.

It is also critical for the optimization of port operations. Current data allows for better scheduling in terms of ship arrival and departure. With a good understanding of the tidal currents and other periodic flow features, the port authorities can better manage the berthing facility along with planning the loading and unloading activities. This would make for enhanced productivity as cargo-handling operations would be better coordinated.

Moreover, from an environmental perspective, knowledge of ocean currents is valuable for predicting the spread of pollutants in case of an accidental spill. Given the nature of the cargo handled in the port, such as petroleum products and chemicals, this information allows for a quick response to contain and mitigate the environmental damage. Keeping these factors in mind, an accurate and convenient measurement method such as ADCP-Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler is very effective for ocean current measurement at Paradip Port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

ADCPs work on the principle of the Doppler Effect. When the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) sends out an acoustic signal into the water, it scatters from moving water particles. Because the water particles are in movement due to the ocean current, they cause a Doppler shift in the frequency of the reflected acoustic signal received back by the ADCP flow meter. According to the Doppler effect, this frequency shift is related to the velocity of the water flow. This frequency shift, when analyzed, enables the ADCP profiler to calculate the speed and direction of the water flow. By transmitting at several angles and different levels, the ADCP current meter can map out a profile of the ocean current, demonstrating the changes of the current with depth.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement Methods

Shipborne ADCP: Shipborne ADCP is fitted onboard ships working in the Paradip Port area. While the ship moves around the port, the ADCP meter continuously sends acoustic signals into the water below. As the ship moves, the ADCP profiler covers a large area and provides information about the currents from different positions. For instance, during a regular cruise around the port by a research or survey vessel fitted with a shipborne ADCP, the instrument may establish data on the pattern of currents in various regions of the port for a clear grasp of the condition of water circulation.

Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs are installed in pre-defined fixed locations in the port. These are located on the seabed near critical navigation areas or inside and outside the port entrance/exit. The ADCPs monitor the ocean currents continuously from their fixed positions over long periods. Collected data is of great use in analyzing the regular pattern of currents in fixed areas of the port. A fixed ADCP installed near the port entrance can record currents in- and outflows and helps to understand such consistent flow characteristics in the tidal effects and others in that region.

4. What's required for high-quality measurement of Paradip port currents?

Equipment Requirements

For high-quality measurement of the currents in Paradip port, specific equipment characteristics are essential. Material reliability is also the main factor. The equipment must be resistant to aggressive marine media, including seawater corrosion. Seawater contains salts and other chemicals that corrode materials with time. The equipment must also withstand the pressure changes associated with different levels of water and the mechanical forces exerted by waves and currents.

The system should be of smaller size, lighter in weight, and with less power consumption. Smaller size will make the installation on a variety of locations at the port quite easier, whether on the ships or fixed structures like piers or on the seabed itself. A lighter weight reduces problems while installing or transporting. This will enable the equipment to operate continuously for long periods with minimal battery replacement or high power supply, especially for long-term monitoring applications.

Cost is another significant factor. The lesser the cost, the larger the number of measuring devices that can be deployed at the port for more comprehensive current monitoring across different areas of the port.

Advantage of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

The casings of ADCPs are preferred to be made of titanium alloy. It has excellent corrosion resistance, meaning it would keep its structural integrity and functionality even when exposed to seawater for a long time. Its high strength-to-weight ratio allows the construction of casings that are durable yet comparatively lightweight. For example, at deeper regions of Paradip port where high water pressures are expected, an ADCP current meter working on a casing of titanium alloy can easily bear the pressure and keep on providing quite accurate measurement of the current of water.

5. How to Select Appropriate Equipment for Water Current Measurement?

Usage-based Selection

Shipborne ADCP: When the aim is to carry out wide-area surveys of the port waters when the ship is operational, shipborne ADCP will be ideal. It will cover the various sections of the port as the ship moves around and amass a great quantity of data with the idea of being able to provide a comprehensive view of the general current situation in the port area. It helps in depicting the general trend of flow patterns and variations across different areas of the port waters.

Sitting - bottom ADCP: This type of ADCP current profiler is better suited for the monitoring, over long terms and from fixed points, of places inside the port area that may have important infrastructures nearby or show intricate current behavior. They can record, continuously and at those fixed positions, current data that essentially provides the most valuable insight into the characteristics and temporal changes of the local current.

Buoy-mounted ADCP: For those conditions where it is impractical to install fixed equipment on the seabed or on vessels, buoy-mounted ADCPs can be used. They float on the water surface and are thus capable of measurement in the upper layers of the water column. Relatively easy to deploy and with the capability for relocation, if so desired, they have a very good record of performance, enabling the monitoring of those areas within the port that are dynamic and difficult to reach.

Selection Based on Frequency

The selection of the frequency for ADCPs is based on the water depth in Paradip port. For locations where the water is up to 70 meters deep, an ADCP flow meter operating at 600 kHz is normally within the optimal range since it allows accurate current measurements within this relatively shallow depth range. However, when the waters are relatively deeper, to about 110 meters, an ADCP profiler of 300 kHz is more appropriate. For the really deep parts of the port with a water depth of up to 1000 meters, an ADCP meter with a frequency of 75 kHz is recommended to ensure reliable profiling of the ocean currents at such depth.

There are several well - known ADCP current profiler 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.