River/Stream Flow and Discharge

Doppler Current Profilers, particularly the TRDI ADCPs with Bottom-Track, are ideal for flow and discharge measurement in open channels such as streams and rivers.  ASL owns and operates various frequency ADCPs such as the 2 MHz StreamPro for up to 4 m depth, the 1200 kHz ADCP for up to about 15 m depth, and the 600 kHz ADCP for up to about 50 m depth. 

Marine Terminals

Terminal design often requires a flow survey.  Maximum flow speeds are important, as well as the flow direction which often affects the berth alignment.  Often wave height and direction measurements are also required.  (Wave Measurements applications)   

Oil and Gas

Offshore drilling and production operations generally require measurements of the current profile, often in real-time.  This may necessitate deployment of ADCPs both at surface (hard wired) as well as on the bottom (acoustic modem linked). 

Oil spill modelling may require flow measurements to validate the model.

Hydroelectric Dams

ASL manufactures the Acoustic Scintillation Flow Meter (ASFM) used primarily for measurement of flow into hydroelectric intakes.  The computed discharge is used for index testing.

Cable Laying and Pipeline

A vessel-mounted ADCP is often used during cable laying operations to provide real-time current profile data.  This helps plan activities and can be particularly useful in coastal areas where surface currents are not necessarily representative of those at depth.

Tidal Energy

One of the main criteria for evaluation of potential tidal energy sites is the current speed.  ASL has been involved in several site evaluation projects such as Race Rocks, Victoria, and others  near Campbell River.  Flow measurements are often augmented by numerical modelling.

Environmental Impacts

Flow surveys are often required in order to fulfill Environmental Impact assessment requirements.  One example is marine outfalls.  Current profile measurements at the proposed outfall site are often used to evaluate the diffusion and flushing characteristics of the outfall and the receiving marine environment. 

Climate Research

Climate changes are occurring most rapidly in the Arctic Ocean. ASL products, and related services, are being used by major research organizations in North America, Europe and Asia for scientific studies to understand and predict the changing climate through the century. Long-term measurements of the Arctic Ocean fluxes of sea ice and water masses are being made with ASL's Ice Profiler, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) and other instruments. ASL provides research studies of Arctic climate change to its industry and environment assessment customers on regional climate change within the Arctic Ocean.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture operations often require flow surveys.  For example there are specific current (and wave) limitations for potential fish farm sites.  Current too slow will not provide enough flushing, while currents that are too strong result in excessive wear and tear on the equipment and can lead to net failures.