Overview

The Expendable Conductivity / Temperature / Dept profiler (XCTD) is the preferred device for quickly obtaining ocean temperature and conductivity profiles. It is easy to use, low cost and can be measured while underway. It has become an important part of the global ocean temperature profile database and is widely used in the study of ocean boundary currents, ocean heat content, climate change and meridional heat transport.

Hydro-Tech XCTD

1.Product introduction

Hydro-Tech is committed to the development of the nationally produced expendable Conductivity / Temperature / Dept profiler (HT-XCTD). The fully upgraded product performance parameters are comparable to those of excellent products around the world, and can complete real-time measurement of CTD data at a water depth of 1,000 meters at a maximum speed of 12 knots.

Specifications:

The XCTD consists of a probe and a portable deck unit. The probe is launched into the water, and it continuously measures the seawater temperature, conductivity and depth during its descent. The measured data is transmitted to the deck unit through a thin copper wire, and the seawater temperature and salinity profile is displayed in real time after being processed by the data processing software.

The portable deck unit integrates the deck unit with an industrial computer, battery, and GNSS. It retains all the functions of the original deck unit according to the functional indicators of the probe, and also reserves an automatic launch module for the remote control launch gun. When using it, you only need to select the probe type in the measurement software, select “Start Measurement”, and follow the software prompts to install the probe and place the probe.

2.Main Features:

• High Performance

With latest innovative sensors, including high precision rapid response temperature sensor, “Time Leap” sound velocity sensor and high precision pressure sensor, the performance has been greatly enhanced.

• High reliability

With Real-time long-distance data transmission technology in seawater, combined with 0.01mm diameter high-strength thin copper wire, the probes can achieve stable data transmission at 12 knots of speed through up to 2000 meters depth and ensure the success rate of head launching delivery and data efficacy.

• High accuracy

Adopting the international 5-point calibration method and combining the independent design and construction of automatic sensor head calibration assembling line, the probes have been eliminated the external interference in the calibration process improved the survey accuracy of the sensor head and efficiency of production.

• Long Duration

Advanced low power consumption design ensures that the sensor head storage time is more than 4 years.

• Easy Operation

The new design of the firing gun and deck unit is light and compact. One person can operate independently.

3.Data comparison and voyage verification

In order to determine the accuracy of domestic XCTD measurement data, we conducted a large number of sea trials and third-party comparison tests. The obtained sea comparison test data is consistent with the data curve trend of other similar products, and the line shape is basically consistent.

Data Comparison & Test Site

Recently, we conducted XCTD deployment and data collection tests in sea, deploying multiple XCTD probes. The overall performance mainly includes the environmental adaptability of the disposable instrument measurement system, the deployment success rate, the measurement system software performance, and the deck unit working performance. Among them, the measurement depth of all probes is greater than 1000m, and the temperature, conductivity, salinity, and density data ranges and trends are consistent with the local test sea area profile data and trends, and the deployment success rate is 100%. Some test results are shown in the figure below.

Future product plans

Hydro-Tech has established a complete infrastructure for the research and development, production, testing, and calibration of disposable products, and continues to launch various disposable products that meet market demand. We welcome colleagues in the industry to carry out various cooperation and product trials.