Journal Description
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on marine science and engineering, published monthly online by MDPI. The Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society (ANZMBS) is affiliated with JMSE and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed with Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), GeoRef, Inspec, AGRIS, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Engineering, Marine) / CiteScore - Q2 (Civil and Structural Engineering)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.7 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.8 (2023)
Latest Articles
Numerical Simulation of Gas Production Behavior Using Radial Lateral Well and Horizontal Snake Well Depressurization Mining of Hydrate Reservoir in the Shenhu Sea Area of the South China Sea
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1204; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071204 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
Improving the production capacity of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) is crucial for their commercial development. Based on the data of the first on-site testing production of NGHs in the Shenhu Sea area, numerical methods were used to analyze the production behavior of radial
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Improving the production capacity of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) is crucial for their commercial development. Based on the data of the first on-site testing production of NGHs in the Shenhu Sea area, numerical methods were used to analyze the production behavior of radial lateral well (RLW) and horizontal snake well (HSW) with different completion lengths when they deployed at different layers of the Class-1 type hydrate reservoir (with a fixed pressure difference of 6 MPa and continuous production for 360 days). The results indicate that compared with the single vertical well production, RLW and HSW can effectively increase production capacity by enlarging drainage area and the productivity is directly proportional to the total completion length. The RLW and HSW deployed at the three-phase layer (TPL) have optimal mining performance within a 360-day production period. Different to the previous research findings, during a short-term production period of 360 days, regardless of the deployment layer, the overall production capacity of HSW is better than RLW’s. The total gas production of HSW-2 circles well type is about four times that of a single vertical well, reaching 1.554 × 107 ST m3. Moreover, the HSW-1 lateral well type stands out with an average Qg of 3.63 × 104 ST m3/d and a specific production index J of 16.93; it has the highest J-index among all well types, which means the best mining efficiency. It is recommended to choose the HSW-1 circle well type, if the coiled tubing drilling technique is used for on-site testing production of NGHs in the future. The research results provide insights into the potential applications of RLW and HSW in this sea area.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)
Open AccessArticle
A Study of the Relationship between Sand Movement and Flow Field Distribution and Wear Causes in a Multiphase Pump
by
Xin Guo, Guangtai Shi, Yexiang Xiao and Xunyun Ye
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071203 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
The Rosin–Rammler function is used in this paper to model the diameter distribution of sand particles. It investigates the characteristics of sand distribution and identifies the primary factors contributing to wear on flow components in a blade-type multiphase pump, considering varying particle sizes.
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The Rosin–Rammler function is used in this paper to model the diameter distribution of sand particles. It investigates the characteristics of sand distribution and identifies the primary factors contributing to wear on flow components in a blade-type multiphase pump, considering varying particle sizes. The result of research shows that the blade head of the impeller and the middle section of the flow passage in the diffuser domain represent primary areas prone to sand particle accumulation. The concentration of sand particles within the diffuser surpasses that within the impeller, yet wear severity and extent are more pronounced in the impeller domain compared to the diffuser domain. Meanwhile, the movement trajectory of sand particles is linked to both shear flow and vortex flow. The wear of the front section of the impeller blade is more severe than the second half. On the pressure surface of the blade, particle Reynolds number emerges as a primary factor influencing wear, while on the suction surface, sand particle concentration plays a dominant role in determining wear. The particle concentration in the diffuser domain is the primary factor influencing wear on both the suction and pressure surfaces. The wear rate in the impeller is primarily influenced by the sand particle Reynolds number, whereas the wear rate in the diffuser domain is affected by a combination of sand particle diameter, sand particle concentration, and sand particle Reynolds number. The research findings possess significant engineering value in terms of enhancing the operational lifespan of multiphase pumps.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Floating Offshore Structures—2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
Response of Cyclonic Eddies to Typhoon Surigae and Their Weakening Effect on the Kuroshio Current in the Western North Pacific Ocean
by
Yanzeng Zhang and Shuzong Han
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1202; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071202 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
This study investigated the dynamic and thermal responses of cyclonic eddies (CEs) to Typhoon Surigae in the western North Pacific Ocean using satellite data and a coupled ocean–atmosphere model. Observations and simulations revealed that the typhoon enhanced the two preexisting CEs (C1 and
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This study investigated the dynamic and thermal responses of cyclonic eddies (CEs) to Typhoon Surigae in the western North Pacific Ocean using satellite data and a coupled ocean–atmosphere model. Observations and simulations revealed that the typhoon enhanced the two preexisting CEs (C1 and C2). After the typhoon passed the two eddies, the sea surface height (SSH) lowered and the eddy velocity increased above 200 m. C1 was stretched with elliptical deformation accompanied by an SSH trough and jets on the sides of the typhoon track at the eddy edge. The comparative experiments indicated that the typhoon caused the SSH of C1 and C2 to lower by 53.52% and 25.14% compared to conditions without the typhoon, respectively, and the kinetic energy of C1 and C2 to increase by 12 times and 65.76%, respectively. The positive vorticity anomaly input from the typhoon to the CEs was the main mechanism for the enhancement of the CEs. The enhanced CEs modulated the typhoon-induced sea surface temperature (SST) cooling, causing the temperature within the eddies to decrease by upwelling and mixing, and the SST cooling became significant at the center of the CEs and propagated westward with the eddies. This study also revealed that typhoons can significantly perturb eddy dynamic structures by enhancing or generating cyclonic cold eddies and eradicating anticyclonic eddies, thereby weakening the Kuroshio Current transport via eddy–Kuroshio interactions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Marine Dynamics)
Open AccessArticle
Recognition and Prediction of Multi-Level Handling Complexity at Automated Terminals Based on ARIMA
by
Yong Ma and Junjun Li
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071201 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
Accurate recognition and prediction of the multi-level handling complexity in automated container terminals (referred to as “automated terminals”) is a prerequisite for improving the effectiveness of scheduling and realizing intelligent operation and maintenance. According to the operating characteristics of the automated terminal equipment,
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Accurate recognition and prediction of the multi-level handling complexity in automated container terminals (referred to as “automated terminals”) is a prerequisite for improving the effectiveness of scheduling and realizing intelligent operation and maintenance. According to the operating characteristics of the automated terminal equipment, the operating network is constructed of automated terminals that describe the characteristics of operating complexity. We use K-medoids and a light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) to construct a K-LightGBM model that recognizes multi-level handling complexity. The key lies in the reasonable construction of prediction models. A hyper-heuristic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model is proposed to address the problem that the ARIMA is ineffective in predicting nonlinear data. We combine ARIMA and the LightGBM model to establish an ARIMA-LightGBM model to predict multi-level handling and residuals. To improve accuracy, we propose the two residual prediction strategies of direct prediction and limited residual boundary prediction based on the residuals generated by ARIMA. We propose a hyper-heuristic algorithm based on a gradient descent-trust region (GD-TR) to compute the weights of predicted values under the two strategies, which improves the global search capability by GD and TR. The particle swarm optimization algorithm, simulated annealing algorithm, and ant colony optimization algorithm are low-level heuristics. Simulation results show that the proposed model possesses the lowest root mean square error on all characteristics compared to ARIMA, E-ARIMA, and ARIMA-LSTM. Therefore, the proposed model is very effective in improving the accuracy of predicting the multi-level handling complexity at automated terminals.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
Open AccessArticle
Distributed Estimator-Based Containment Control for Multi-AUV Systems Subject to Input Saturation and Unknown Disturbance
by
Liangang Yin, Zheping Yan and Jian Xu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1200; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071200 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
This article addresses the containment control issue for multi-AUV systems with the intervention of both external disturbance and input saturation. Firstly, a distributed estimator is established for the sake of acquiring precise estimation information of the desired position and its derivative for each
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This article addresses the containment control issue for multi-AUV systems with the intervention of both external disturbance and input saturation. Firstly, a distributed estimator is established for the sake of acquiring precise estimation information of the desired position and its derivative for each follower AUV in the system. Next, on the basis of the proposed distributed estimator, a virtual control law is designed for each follower AUV. Then, due to the difficulty in obtaining accurate information about the derivative of the virtual control law, a linear tracking differentiator is introduced. Additionally, a disturbance observer is employed to tackle the composite disturbance, which mainly contains the internal model uncertainties and external bounded disturbances. Meanwhile, the issue of input saturation is handled by constructing the auxiliary system. Furthermore, a containment control law is designed with the assistance of the introduced linear tracking differentiator, the established disturbance observer, and the constructed auxiliary system. Additionally, the Lyapunov stability theory is applied to analyze the stability of the multi-AUV system. Finally, simulation results are given to confirm the feasibility of the proposed containment control scheme.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Sustainable and Intelligent Navigation Control Systems for Marine Vehicles)
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Open AccessArticle
Unveiling Turbulent Flow Dynamics in Blind-Tee Pipelines: Enhancing Fluid Mixing in Subsea Pipeline Systems
by
Fenghui Han, Qingyuan Lan, Yuxiang Liu, Guang Yin, Muk Chen Ong, Wenhua Li and Zhe Wang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1199; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071199 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
Blind tees, as important junctions, are widely used in offshore oil and gas transportation systems to improve mixing flow conditions and measurement accuracies in curved pipes. Despite the significance of blind tees, their unsteady flow characteristics and mixing mechanisms in turbulent flow regimes
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Blind tees, as important junctions, are widely used in offshore oil and gas transportation systems to improve mixing flow conditions and measurement accuracies in curved pipes. Despite the significance of blind tees, their unsteady flow characteristics and mixing mechanisms in turbulent flow regimes are not clearly established. Therefore, in this study, Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations, coupled with Explicit Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model (EARSM), are employed to explore the complex turbulent flow characteristics within blind-tee pipes. Firstly, the statistical flow features are investigated based on the time-averaged results, and the swirl dissipation analysis reveals an intense dissipative process occurring within blind tees, surpassing conventional elbows in swirling intensity. Then, the instantaneous flow characteristics are investigated through time and frequency domain analysis, uncovering the oscillatory patterns and elucidating the mechanisms behind unsteady secondary flow motions. In a 2D-length blind tee, a nondimensional dominant frequency of oscillation (Stbt = 0.0361) is identified, highlighting the significant correlation between dominant frequencies inside and downstream of the plugged section, which emphasizes the critical role of the plugged structure in these unsteady motions. Finally, a power spectra analysis is conducted to explore the influence of blind-tee structures, indicating that the blind-tee length of lbt = 2D enhances the flow-mixing conditions by amplifying the oscillation intensities of secondary flow motions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The State of the Art of Marine Risers and Pipelines)
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Open AccessArticle
Laboratory Study on Wave Attenuation by Elastic Mangrove Model with Canopy
by
Youxiang Lu, Yongjun Luo, Jian Zeng, Zhiyong Zhang, Jielong Hu, Yanan Xu and Wenlong Cheng
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1198; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071198 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial Kandelia obovata forests in wave attenuation through physical model experiments conducted in a wave flume. The experiments meticulously replicated real-world hydrodynamic conditions and mangrove movement responses using the principles of gravitational and motion similarity, with a
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This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial Kandelia obovata forests in wave attenuation through physical model experiments conducted in a wave flume. The experiments meticulously replicated real-world hydrodynamic conditions and mangrove movement responses using the principles of gravitational and motion similarity, with a scaled 1:10 model of Kandelia obovata. Our approach included comparative experiments against a 1:100 gradient concrete slope to isolate the effects of seabed friction and flume wall reflections. The wave height was measured using strategically placed wave gauges. The findings indicated that the artificial Kandelia obovata forests significantly attenuated waves, with a decrease in the total attenuation capacity as the water depth increased from 2.75 m to 3.28 m under both regular and irregular waves. The elastic mangrove model with a canopy effect led to a 15% increase in wave attenuation over cylindrical models. Predictive models using multivariate nonlinear regression and back propagation neural networks showed that the latter provided a superior accuracy in estimating wave transmission coefficients
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Coastal Engineering)
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Open AccessReview
Ship Emission Measurements Using Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Review
by
Lukas Šaparnis, Paulius Rapalis and Vygintas Daukšys
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1197; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071197 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
This review investigates the ship emission measurements using multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The monitoring of emissions from shipping is a priority globally, because of the necessity to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, there is widespread global effort to extensively
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This review investigates the ship emission measurements using multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The monitoring of emissions from shipping is a priority globally, because of the necessity to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, there is widespread global effort to extensively measure vessel fuel sulfur content (FSC). The majority of studies indicate that more commonly used methods for measuring ship emission with UAVs is the sniffing method. Most of the research is concerned with determining the fuel sulfur content. Fuel sulfur content can be determined by the ratio of CO2 and SO2 concentration in the exhaust gas plume. For CO2, the non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) method is used, the most common measuring range reaches 0–2000 ppm, the overall measuring range 0–10,000 ppm, and detection accuracy is ±5–300 ppm. For SO2, the electrochemical (EC) method is used, the measuring range reaches 0–100 ppm, and the detection accuracy is ±5 ppm. Common UAV characteristics, used in measurement with ships, involve the following: 8–10 m/s of wind resistance, 5–6 kg maximum payload, and a flight distance ranging from 5 to 10 km. This can change in the near future, since a variety of emission measuring devices that can be mounted on UAVs are available on the market. The range of available elements differs from device to device, but available ranges are allowed and the accuracy provides good possibilities for wider research into ship emissions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies of Ship Power Plants and Infrastructure of Seaports)
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Open AccessArticle
The Effect of Model Input Uncertainty on the Simulation of Typical Pollutant Transport in the Coastal Waters of China
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Nan Wang, Zihan Zhao, Ruichen Cao, Xianqing Lv and Honghua Shi
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071196 - 17 Jul 2024
Abstract
Route planning to evade potential pollution holds critical importance for aquaculture vessels. This study establishes a fish-feed pollutant drift model based on the Lagrangian particle tracking algorithm and designs four sets of sensitivity experiments in the East China Sea. The research investigates the
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Route planning to evade potential pollution holds critical importance for aquaculture vessels. This study establishes a fish-feed pollutant drift model based on the Lagrangian particle tracking algorithm and designs four sets of sensitivity experiments in the East China Sea. The research investigates the impact of model input uncertainties on the drift trajectory, centroid position, and sweeping area of the fish-feed pollutants. Numerical results indicate that the uncertainty in the background flow field significantly affects the uncertainty in the centroid position and sweeping area in the numerical simulations. Specifically, when a 35% random error is added to the background flow field, the centroid shift distance reaches its maximum, and the sweeping area also attains its largest value. The uncertainty in the background wind field affects the centroid position of particles but to a much lesser extent compared to the background flow field. When considering only the uncertainty of the background wind field, the sweeping area does not significantly differ from the control experiment as the uncertainty of the background wind field increases. The initial release position has little effect on the drift direction of the fish-feed pollutants but does affect the drift distance; it has minimal impact on the trajectory but significantly affects the final position of the pollutant centroid. By analyzing the model uncertainties, this study reveals the key factors influencing the drift of fish-feed pollutants. This information is crucial for aquaculture vessels in planning routes, considering environmental factors, and reducing potential pollution risks.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling the Transport of Pollutants and Tracers in the Ocean)
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Open AccessArticle
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Modelling of Bergy Bit and Offshore Structure Interactions Due to Large Waves
by
Mohammed Islam and Tanvir Sayeed
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071195 - 16 Jul 2024
Abstract
This research utilised an open-sourced smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) tool to model and predict the change in wave-induced forces and motions of a free-floating bergy bits approaching a fixed structure in regular waves. Simulation parameters, including particle resolution, fluid viscosity, initial wave condition
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This research utilised an open-sourced smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) tool to model and predict the change in wave-induced forces and motions of a free-floating bergy bits approaching a fixed structure in regular waves. Simulation parameters, including particle resolution, fluid viscosity, initial wave condition and boundary treatments, are varied, and their effect on the load imparted to the bergy bit and the structure are investigated. The predicted motions are compared with previously published physical measurements for corresponding scenarios. Both predictions and measurements showed that, in regular waves, the surge motion slowed as the bergy bit approached the structure, and the heave motion increased. For wave loading on bergy bits, the agreement with the experimental data for the root mean square (RMS) force was within 2%. The pressure and velocity fields of the wave–structure–bergy bit interactions are discussed in light of the SPH predictions. This work confirms that the SPH model can accurately capture viscosity–dominated interactions, hydrodynamic damping, and eccentric impact like phenomena and predict both the impact and hydrodynamic loads due to a bergy bit drifting in waves towards a fixed offshore structure.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlinear Wave–Structure Interactions and the Development of Advanced Numerical Models)
Open AccessArticle
A Method for Multi-AUV Cooperative Area Search in Unknown Environment Based on Reinforcement Learning
by
Yueming Li, Mingquan Ma, Jian Cao, Guobin Luo, Depeng Wang and Weiqiang Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071194 - 16 Jul 2024
Abstract
As an emerging direction of multi-agent collaborative control technology, multiple autonomous underwater vehicle (multi-AUV) cooperative area search technology has played an important role in civilian fields such as marine resource exploration and development, marine rescue, and marine scientific expeditions, as well as in
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As an emerging direction of multi-agent collaborative control technology, multiple autonomous underwater vehicle (multi-AUV) cooperative area search technology has played an important role in civilian fields such as marine resource exploration and development, marine rescue, and marine scientific expeditions, as well as in military fields such as mine countermeasures and military underwater reconnaissance. At present, as we continue to explore the ocean, the environment in which AUVs perform search tasks is mostly unknown, with many uncertainties such as obstacles, which places high demands on the autonomous decision-making capabilities of AUVs. Moreover, considering the limited detection capability of a single AUV in underwater environments, while the area searched by the AUV is constantly expanding, a single AUV cannot obtain global state information in real time and can only make behavioral decisions based on local observation information, which adversely affects the coordination between AUVs and the search efficiency of multi-AUV systems. Therefore, in order to face increasingly challenging search tasks, we adopt multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) to study the problem of multi-AUV cooperative area search from the perspective of improving autonomous decision-making capabilities and collaboration between AUVs. First, we modeled the search task as a decentralized partial observation Markov decision process (Dec-POMDP) and established a search information map. Each AUV updates the information map based on sonar detection information and information fusion between AUVs, and makes real-time decisions based on this to better address the problem of insufficient observation information caused by the weak perception ability of AUVs in underwater environments. Secondly, we established a multi-AUV cooperative area search system (MACASS), which employs a search strategy based on multi-agent reinforcement learning. The system combines various AUVs into a unified entity using a distributed control approach. During the execution of search tasks, each AUV can make action decisions based on sonar detection information and information exchange among AUVs in the system, utilizing the MARL-based search strategy. As a result, AUVs possess enhanced autonomy in decision-making, enabling them to better handle challenges such as limited detection capabilities and insufficient observational information.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unmanned Marine Vehicles: Perception, Planning, Control and Swarm)
Open AccessArticle
Optimal Arrangements of Renewable Energy Systems for Promoting the Decarbonization of Desalination Plants
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Deivis Avila Prats, Felipe San Luis Gutiérrez, Ángela Hernández López and Graciliano Nicolás Marichal Plasencia
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071193 - 16 Jul 2024
Abstract
In this research, a renewable energy hybrid system (PV-Wind) is modeled to compare different design options based on their economic and technical features. The energy requirements of a Reversible Osmosis desalination plant located on the island of Tenerife with a water production capacity
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In this research, a renewable energy hybrid system (PV-Wind) is modeled to compare different design options based on their economic and technical features. The energy requirements of a Reversible Osmosis desalination plant located on the island of Tenerife with a water production capacity of up to 20,000 m3/day was considered. The system is connected to the electricity grid. The HOMER software, version 2.75 was used to produce optimum strategies for renewable energy. The assumptions input into the model were: the technical specifications of the devices, electricity demand of the desalination plant, as well as the solar radiation and the wind speed potentials. Numerous arrangements were considered by the software, version 2.75. The optimal results were obtained based on the use of renewable energy. The data used in the study were recorded in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The experience of this research could be transferred to other Atlantic islands with similar renewable energy sources (specifically the wind) and water scarce conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Use of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Water Desalination)
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Open AccessReview
Understanding Carbon Footprint in Sustainable Land-Based Marine Aquaculture: Exploring Production Techniques
by
Marta Castilla-Gavilán, José Manuel Guerra-García, Ismael Hachero-Cruzado and Marcelino Herrera
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071192 - 16 Jul 2024
Abstract
In aquaculture, it is crucial to understand and mitigate the carbon footprint for sustainable production. As demand for seafood increases, various production techniques compete for an eco-friendly status. This review examines the carbon footprint of various land-based marine aquaculture systems, highlighting their environmental
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In aquaculture, it is crucial to understand and mitigate the carbon footprint for sustainable production. As demand for seafood increases, various production techniques compete for an eco-friendly status. This review examines the carbon footprint of various land-based marine aquaculture systems, highlighting their environmental impact. Through exploring innovations and best practices, it navigates the complexities of reducing emissions and promoting carbon sequestration. Some proposals for this purpose are based on diversification through low-trophic-level species, the preservation of high-carbon sequestration sites, polyculture, organic aquaculture and improvements in nutrition, feeding, waste and energy management. In this sense, some land-based aquaculture systems are progressively adapting and updating their zootechnical procedures. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RASs) offer interesting advantages such as water conservation, pollution reduction and biosecurity. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture systems (IMTAs) aim to address two major issues in aquaculture: efficient water usage and the environmental impact of effluents, which are rich in organic particles and dissolved nutrients from undigested food and feces; hence, these systems involve cultivating multiple species (polyculture). Biofloc Technology (BFT) is based on the formation of bioflocs in a culture medium. These systems can enhance feeding efficiency and waste management, thus optimizing nutrient utilization and minimizing environmental impact, achieved through reduced water and fertilizer usage. Traditional (extensive) aquaculture systems operate with minimal input of feed and chemicals, relying heavily on the natural productivity of the ecosystems; thus, the need for manufactured feed, the environmental impact associated with feed production and the transportation and overall costs are significantly reduced. Overall, while RASs, BFT and extensive systems in general offer significant sustainability benefits, IMTA’s holistic approach to ecosystem management and nutrient recycling makes it, in our estimation, the most effective method in terms of ecological footprint in aquaculture. However, its quantitative evaluation is extremely complex, and there is currently a lack of references about its global carbon footprint. Therefore, further research and development are required, as well as collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Marine Aquaculture Research)
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Open AccessArticle
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Sonar Detection Range in Luzon Strait
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Gengming Zhang, Lihua Zhang, Yitao Wang, Yaowei Ma, Xingyu Zhou and Yue Yu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071191 - 16 Jul 2024
Abstract
Sonar serves as a critical submarine detection apparatus for naval vessels, with its detection range forming the foundation of its overall performance in underwater surveillance. The Luzon Strait, in the eastern part of the South China Sea, presents a complex hydrographic setting that
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Sonar serves as a critical submarine detection apparatus for naval vessels, with its detection range forming the foundation of its overall performance in underwater surveillance. The Luzon Strait, in the eastern part of the South China Sea, presents a complex hydrographic setting that profoundly influences sonar performance, necessitating mastery of the detection range variation for enhanced anti-submarine operational efficiency. This study employs the Bellhop acoustic propagation model to estimate the transmission loss. Subsequently, a detection probability integration approach is applied to determine the sonar detection range in the Luzon Strait from 2019 to 2023, which is then subjected to statistical analysis. The findings indicate the following. (1) During the summer and autumn, the shallow mixed layer fails to generate a surface duct, resulting in shorter detection ranges that are primarily dependent on the water depth. In the Shallow Water Zone (<150 m), frequent interactions between sound waves and the sea boundaries lead to considerable acoustic energy attenuation, maintaining a short detection range. In the Intermediate Depth Zone (150–2500 m), sound rays retain adequate energy post-seabed reflection, extending the sonar detection to 5–8 km. Beyond 2500 m, the diminishing reflective energy restricts the range to 2–5 km. (2) Conversely, in the winter and spring, the formation of a surface duct becomes the predominant determinant of the detection range, capable of exceeding 10 km, overshadowing the influence of the water depth.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Underwater Acoustic Communication and Ocean Sensor Networks)
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Open AccessArticle
Optimization of Joint Scheduling for Automated Guided Vehicles and Unmanned Container Trucks at Automated Container Terminals Considering Conflicts
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Liangyong Chu, Zijian Gao, Shuo Dang, Jiawen Zhang and Qing Yu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071190 - 16 Jul 2024
Abstract
Port development is a critical component in constructing a resilient transportation infrastructure. The burgeoning integration of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) within container terminals, in conjunction with the orchestrated scheduling of unmanned container trucks (UCTs), is essential for the sustainable expansion of port operations
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Port development is a critical component in constructing a resilient transportation infrastructure. The burgeoning integration of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) within container terminals, in conjunction with the orchestrated scheduling of unmanned container trucks (UCTs), is essential for the sustainable expansion of port operations in the future. This study examined the influence of AGVs in automated container terminals and the synergistic scheduling of UCTs on port operations. Comparative experiments were meticulously designed to evaluate the feasibility of integrated scheduling schemes. Through the development of optimization models that consider conflict-free paths for both AGVs and UCTs, as well as strategies for conflict resolution, a thorough analysis was performed. Advanced genetic algorithms were engineered to address task-dispatching models. In contrast, the A* optimization search algorithm was adapted to devise conflict-free and conflict-resolution paths for the two vehicle types. A range of scaled scenarios was utilized to assess the impact of AGVs and UCTs on the joint-scheduling process across various configuration ratios. The effectiveness of the strategies was appraised by comparing the resultant path outcomes. Additionally, comparative algorithmic experiments were executed to substantiate the adaptability, efficacy, and computational efficiency of the algorithms in relation to the models. The experimental results highlight the viability of tackling the joint-scheduling challenge presented by AGVs and UCTs in automated container terminals. When juxtaposed with alternative scheduling paradigms that operate independently, this integrated approach exhibits superior performance in optimizing the total operational costs. Consequently, it provides significant insights into enhancing port scheduling practices.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Seaport and Maritime Transport Management)
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Open AccessArticle
Development of a Spectrum-Based Scheme for Simulating Fine-Grained Sediment Transport in Estuaries
by
Zheng Fang and Fanghua Xu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1189; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071189 - 15 Jul 2024
Abstract
Fine-grained cohesive sediments in estuaries play a critical role in sediment transport and biogeochemical cycles in estuaries. Due to the convergence of marine saltwater and freshwater runoff, combined with periodic tidal cycles, fine-grained sediments exhibit intricate flocculation processes that are challenging to simulate.
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Fine-grained cohesive sediments in estuaries play a critical role in sediment transport and biogeochemical cycles in estuaries. Due to the convergence of marine saltwater and freshwater runoff, combined with periodic tidal cycles, fine-grained sediments exhibit intricate flocculation processes that are challenging to simulate. A size-resolved flocculation module using a bin-based scheme aids in modeling these processes but is hindered by high computational costs. In this study, we develop a new spectrum-based scheme based on the spectral shape of floc size distribution from the original bin-based scheme to expedite modeling execution. This new scheme is implemented in the Stony Brook Parallel Ocean Model (sbPOM) and applied to simulate fine-grained sediment transport in the Hudson River estuary. The effectiveness of this spectrum-based scheme is assessed by comparing its simulations with observations and results from the original bin-based scheme. The findings indicate that the new scheme can simulate the evolution of suspended sediment concentration well at a specific point by comparisons with in-situ observations. Specifically, the results of the 50 paired experiments show an average percentage difference of 1.86% and an average speedup ratio of 4.51 times compared to the original bin-based scheme. In summary, the new spectrum-based scheme offers significant acceleration benefits for the size-resolved flocculation module and has the potential for widespread application in simulating fine-grained sediments in estuaries.
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(This article belongs to the Section Coastal Engineering)
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Open AccessArticle
Development and Succession of Non-Indigenous and Cryptogenic Species over Two Different Substrates in the Port of Alicante (Western Mediterranean)
by
Alejandro Carmona-Rodríguez, Carlos Antón, Miguel-Ángel Climent, Pedro Garcés, Vicente Montiel, Elisa Arroyo-Martínez and Alfonso A. Ramos-Esplá
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071188 - 15 Jul 2024
Abstract
Artificial structures act as points of entry for non-indigenous species (NIS) in port areas and may support higher abundance and richness of them. The studies about NIS are increasing, but studies focusing on the variations in temporal recruitment and ecological mechanisms are still
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Artificial structures act as points of entry for non-indigenous species (NIS) in port areas and may support higher abundance and richness of them. The studies about NIS are increasing, but studies focusing on the variations in temporal recruitment and ecological mechanisms are still scarce. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine the colonization and development of non-indigenous sessile fouling species over two types of substrates (electrolytic carbonated and steel) during 12 months of immersion in the Alicante harbor. The biofouling communities of both substrates were analyzed in terms of abundance and species richness by status (native, cryptogenic, and NIS), and NIS assemblages of both substrates were studied by means of multivariate analyses. In total, 53 different species were identified, 38 in steel (six NIS and six cryptogenic) and 50 in the carbonated substrate (six NIS and 10 cryptogenic). Most NIS were more abundant and diverse after 9 months of immersion and had a preference for carbonated substrates. Furthermore, most of them were positively correlated in both substrates (mainly in steel) and it is noted that the number of NIS in the port of Alicante is increasing as new records have been detected.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Ecology Conservation: Analysis for Habitat and Species Studies)
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Open AccessArticle
Method for Collaborative Layout Optimization of Ship Equipment and Pipe Based on Improved Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning and Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm
by
Hongshuo Zhang, Yanyun Yu, Zelin Song, Yanzhao Han, Zhiyao Yang and Lang Ti
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1187; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071187 - 15 Jul 2024
Abstract
The engine room is the core area of a ship, critical to its operation, safety, and efficiency. Currently, many researchers merely address the ship engine room layout design (SERLD) problem using optimization algorithms and independent layout strategies. However, the engine room environment is
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The engine room is the core area of a ship, critical to its operation, safety, and efficiency. Currently, many researchers merely address the ship engine room layout design (SERLD) problem using optimization algorithms and independent layout strategies. However, the engine room environment is complex, involving two significantly different challenges: equipment layout and pipe layout. Traditional methods fail to achieve optimal collaborative layout objectives. To address this research gap, this paper proposes a collaborative layout method that combines improved reinforcement learning and heuristic algorithms. For equipment layout, the engine room space is first discretized into a grid, and a Markov decision process (MDP) framework suitable for equipment layout is proposed, including state space, action space, and reward mechanisms suitable for equipment layout. An improved adaptive guided multi-agent Q-learning (AGMAQL) algorithm is employed to train the layout model in a centralized manner, with enhancements made to the agent’s exploration state, exploration action, and learning strategy. For pipe layout, this paper proposes an improved adaptive trajectory artificial fish swarm algorithm (ATAFSA). This algorithm incorporates a hybrid encoding method, adaptive strategy, scouting strategy, and parallel optimization strategy, resulting in enhanced stability, accuracy, and problem adaptability. Subsequently, by comprehensively considering layout objectives and engine room attributes, a collaborative layout method incorporating hierarchical and adaptive weight strategies is proposed. This method optimizes in phases according to the layout objectives and priorities of different stages, achieving multi-level optimal layouts and providing designers with various reference schemes with different focuses. Finally, based on a typical real-world engine room engineering case, various leading algorithms and strategies are tested and compared. The results show that the proposed AGMAQL-ATAFSA (AGMAQL-ATA) exhibits robustness, efficiency, and engineering practicality. Compared to previous research methods and algorithms, the final layout quality improved overall: equipment layout effectiveness increased by over 4.0%, pipe optimization efficiency improved by over 40.4%, and collaborative layout effectiveness enhanced by over 2.2%.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Approaches to Marine Engineering Research)
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Open AccessArticle
The Production Analysis and Exploitation Scheme Design of a Special Offshore Heavy Oil Reservoir—First Offshore Artificial Island with Thermal Recovery
by
Guodong Cui, Zheng Niu, Zhe Hu, Xueshi Feng and Zehao Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071186 - 15 Jul 2024
Abstract
More and more offshore heavy oil resources are discovered and exploited as the focus of the oil and gas industry shifts from land to sea. However, unlike onshore heavy oil reservoirs, offshore heavy oil reservoirs not only have active edge and bottom water
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More and more offshore heavy oil resources are discovered and exploited as the focus of the oil and gas industry shifts from land to sea. However, unlike onshore heavy oil reservoirs, offshore heavy oil reservoirs not only have active edge and bottom water but also have different exploitation methods. In this paper, a typical special heavy oil reservoir in China was analyzed in detail, based on geology–reservoir–engineering integration technology. Firstly, it is identified as a self-sealing bottom water heavy oil reservoir by analyzing its geological characteristics and hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism. Secondly, the water cut is initially controlled by oil viscosity, but subsequently, by reservoir thickness through the analysis of oil and water production data. Thirdly, the bottom oil–water contact of the reservoir was re-corrected to build an accurate 3D geological model, based on the production history matching of a single well and the whole reservoir. Lastly, a scheme of thermal production coupled with cold production was proposed to exploit this special reservoir, and the parameters of steam, N2, and CO2 injection and production were optimized to predict oil production. This work can provide a valuable development model for the efficient exploitation of similar offshore special heavy oil reservoirs.
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(This article belongs to the Section Marine Energy)
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The Effect of Corner Structure on the Optimisation of Fishable Flow Field in Aquaculture Tanks
by
Fan Zhang, Mingchao Cui, Huang Liu and Chen Zhang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071185 - 15 Jul 2024
Abstract
As coastal waters face constraints such as the deterioration of the aquaculture environment and limitations on the scale of operation, aquaculture will move towards the deep and distant sea. Large-scale aquaculture vessels are a new method of deep-sea aquaculture, and improving the utilisation
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As coastal waters face constraints such as the deterioration of the aquaculture environment and limitations on the scale of operation, aquaculture will move towards the deep and distant sea. Large-scale aquaculture vessels are a new method of deep-sea aquaculture, and improving the utilisation efficiency of aquaculture tanks to ensure the best growth conditions for fish inside while ensuring the efficient discharge of particulate matter in these tanks will affect the productivity of aquaculture and the profitability of aquaculture vessels. This study investigated the effects of the tank structure ratio on the flow field characteristics and particulate removal efficiency in the aquaculture tanks of an aquaculture vessel. Numerical simulations of the flow field characteristics in the aquaculture tanks of an 8000 t-class aquaculture vessel at anchor were conducted using the FLOW-3D software to quantitatively evaluate the effects of the corner ratio on the fishability of aquaculture tanks and the efficiency of particulate emission using the parameters related to flow velocity, turbulence intensity, capacity utilisation rate, and particulate removal efficiency. The simulation results show that the tanks with corner structures have better flow field characteristics, which include a higher flow velocity, turbulence intensity, and discharge effect. When the corner length is more than 1/3 of the tank length, increasing the corner distance does not significantly enhance the optimisation of the flow field characteristics in the tank. Overall, this study’s results provide a reference basis for the structural design and optimisation of aquaculture tanks in aquaculture vessels.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Techniques and Equipment in Large Offshore Aquaculture Platform)
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