The ADCP applied in Ocean Current Measurement of Yantai Port

1. Where is the Location of Yantai Port?

Yantai Port is in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. It is one of the important ports along the coast of the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea, playing a very important role in the regional and international trading network.

Port Scale and Throughput

Scale: The port is highly large-scale, with a number of terminals. It includes deepwater berths that are capable of receiving vessels of the dimensions of large container ships, bulk carriers, and vessels for liquid cargo. The port area is also very big and features well-developed quays and areas for storage.

Throughput: Yantai Port features huge annual throughput. It is a big hub and an important point for the handling of several kinds of cargo. The bulk cargo comprises mainly coal, iron ore, grains, and building material. The container throughput is also considerable and has been growing smoothly, thus strengthening its position in domestic and international trade.

Routes and Business

Routes: The port is also connected to an exhaustive network of shipping routes. In the domestic sector, it enjoys regular connectivity with other major ports along the Chinese coastline. Internationally too, its connections are strong, with trade links going to northeast Asia, Europe, and even beyond. These shipping lines have connected different continents and regions with each other.

Business: The business operation of Yantai Port is very diversified. The company is into import and export of industrial products and agricultural goods, while energy resources form the other vast segment. Other value-added services include warehousing, logistics, and cargo-handling operations.

Port Management and Operation

Yantai Port: It boasts a very scientific management system. Its coordinating mechanism is composed of ship entry and exit, berth allocation, and cargo-handling operations assigned by the port authority. Advanced technologies have been applied to its practice, including automated cargo-handling equipment and intelligent shipping-scheduling systems. The accent is on safety and security. Strict safety rules ensure the safety of personnel, cargo, and ships. Caring about the environment includes measures that would minimize the impact of the port activities on the marine environment.

Port Facilities

Container Terminals: With modern quay cranes and gantry cranes, the container terminals boast speed and capacity to load and unload cargo. Storage yards have advanced container-stacking systems that would increase the storage efficiency of containers.

Bulk Cargo Terminals : Bulk cargo handling facilities include conveyor belts, stockyards, and loading equipment. These are designed in such a way that bulk materials of various types can be handled efficiently with minimal loss. Liquid Cargo Terminals: The liquid cargo terminals are bestowed with a network of pipelines, storage tanks, and loading arms. Safety systems containing the spill and fire protection measures dealing with the petroleum products along with other liquid chemicals equip them.

Channel and Direct Shipping

Yantai Port has well-maintained channels that have quite adequate depth for large vessels. Besides, direct shipping services to major international ports such as South Korea and Japan have been initiated, thus enhancing its competitiveness and facilitating the trade of goods. Such direct routes will cut down the time and cost of transportation and bring the economies and trades closer.

2. Why do we need to measure the ocean currents in Yantai Port?

Impact on Navigation

Currents in Yantai Port are very important to measure for navigation. The speed and course could be altered at the time of entrance and exit of ships from the port. Precise information about the current aids the ship captains to alter speed and course more accurately in busy ports with a large volume of shipping traffic, like Yantai. It may help avoid collisions and, therefore, could undertake the docking and undocking procedures in a more efficient manner.

Influence on Cargo Handling

Ocean currents can, moreover, affect the efficiency of handling cargo. For example, the loading and unloading of bulk cargo or even containers, if there is a strong or unpredictable current, will make it hard for one operating cranes or other handling equipment to do so with high accuracy. A current measurement will allow the port to schedule cargo handling operations more appropriately. The scheduling of cargo handling operations will be easily done, taking into consideration the prevailing current conditions to avoid unnecessary waiting by ships and increase work efficiency.

Ocean current measurement is very important for environmental monitoring in the port area. In case of any oil spill or any other pollutant, this data on currents would be useful to predict the direction and speed with which the contaminants may spread. This enables the port to take timely preventive and remedial measures for protecting the marine environment. Comparing the conventional means of measuring sea currents, ADCP current profiler has turned out to be much more contemporary and handier; hence, its application is very advantageous for the usual work of the company, for example, Yantai Port.

3. How do Doppler Principle ADCPs work?

Measurement Principle

The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) make use of the principle of the Doppler frequency shift: when the ADCP current meter sends an acoustic signal into the water, it scatters off particles and all present substances in the water. Since the water particles in this problem are moving with the ocean current, due to the Doppler effect, the frequency of the scattered signal received back by the ADCP doppler will be different than the transmitted one. By measuring this frequency shift, the velocity of the water particles and therefore the velocity of the ocean current can be determined.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement: Shipborne ADCP

Shipborne ADCPs are installed on ships. When the ship moves in the area of Yantai Port, starting from this position, the ADCP flow meter continuously sends and receives acoustic signals. It can measure, along the path of the ship, the instant ocean current at different depths. These data can be used for the analysis of the current state of the area in which the ship is sailing, therefore providing greater added value to the information used for ship navigation and operations.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs would typically be installed in specific locations around Yantai Port, for example, on piers or buoys. These ADCP meter would not move but rather continuously track the current of the surrounding ocean. These could provide long-term, stable data on current that may assist in understanding the general current patterns and variation in current over time in the port area.

4. What is needed to achieve good measurement of Yantai Port currents?

Equipment Requirements

Material Reliability

The reliability of the materials used to build up the equipment is highly needed; it must be able to bear up in the harsh marine environment and be able to withstand seawater corrosion, high humidity, and impacts from floating objects.

Small in Size, Light in Weight, and Low in Power Consumption

A small-sized, lightweight ADCP is good for installation and operation; this is especially important for shipborne ADCPs. Low power consumption allows the equipment to operate for a long time without frequently replacing batteries or using high-power supplies, especially important for both fixed and shipborne ADCPs.

Low Cost for Mass Measurement

In order to undertake large-scale current measurement in the port, the equipment cost should be relatively low, hence enabling multiple ADCP profiler at different locations to have more comprehensive current data.

The Advantage of Using Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

Titanium alloy is a very good material for ADCP casing. It possesses several advantages. First, it has excellent corrosion resistance, which can resist the corrosion of seawater effectively and guarantee the long-term stability and reliability of equipment. Second, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio that can provide enough strength while keeping the weight relatively low to meet the requirements of small size and light weight. Thirdly, good thermal stability of the titanium alloy can help the equipment work in different temperature environments normally in the Yantai Port area.

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

According to the Use Purpose

• Shipborne ADCP: This would be appropriate especially when the measurement is carried out on ships. It can move right with the ship and measure currents across the different areas of the port as the ship moves along. For example, it can be used for long-term fixed-point current monitoring at a site in Yantai Port. The sitting-bottom ADCP, installed at the bottom of the sea, monitors the currents around itself continuously. 
• • Buoy - Type ADCP: In the applications that require real - time monitoring of currents in a specific area of the port, Buoy - type ADCP can be used. This buoy is able to float on the water surface and the ADCP mounted on it measures the currents around it.

Selection Based on Different Frequencies

• Different frequencies of ADCPs are applicable for different water depths. For instance, the 600 kHz ADCP is suitable for a water depth within 70 m; it can give more detailed current data in relatively shallow water areas. Then, 300 kHz ADCP is suitable for a water depth up to 110 m, and 75 kHz ADCP can be used in much deeper water, up to 1000 m. This allows for the actual condition of the water depth in Yantai Port and carries out a variety of accurate measurements of currents at different depths.

There are several well - known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for those looking for cost - effective options, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is highly recommended. It is made of all - titanium alloy material and has an incredible cost - performance ratio. You can visit its website  https://china-sonar.com/ for more information.

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