Field testing of a convergent array of acoustic Doppler profilers for high-resolution velocimetry in energetic tidal currents

Samuel F. Harding, Brian Sellar, Marshall C. Richmond

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

An array of single-beam acoustic Doppler profilers has been developed for the high resolution measurement of three-dimensional tidal flow velocities and subsequently tested in an energetic tidal site. This configuration has been developed to increase spatial resolution of velocity measurements in comparison to conventional acoustic Doppler profilers (ADPs) which characteristically use divergent acoustic beams emanating from a single instrument. This is achieved using geometrically convergent acoustic beams creating a sample volume at the focal point of 0.03 m3. Away from the focal point, the array is also able to simultaneously reconstruct three-dimensional velocity components in a profile throughout the water column, and is referred to herein as a convergent-beam acoustic Doppler profiler (C-ADP). Mid-depth profiling is achieved through integration of the sensor platform with the operational commercial-scale Alstom 1MW DeepGen-IV Tidal Turbine deployed at the European Marine Energy Center, Orkney Isles, UK. This proof-of-concept paper outlines the C-ADP system configuration and comparison to measurements provided by co-installed reference instrumentation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationConference: Proceedings of the 4th Marine Energy Technology Symposium (METS2016), April 25-27, 2016, Washington DC
PublisherNational Hydropower Association, Washington, DC, United States(US).
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2016

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