International Journal of Engineering and Technology Innovation, vol. 8, no. 2, 2018, pp. 146-155 Investigation of Slug Flow Characteristics for Energy Harvesting Applications Umar Alhaji Mukhtar 1* , Abubakar Sahabo 2 , Baba Musa Abbagoni 3 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069 Maiduguri, Nigeria. 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, PMB 1070 Maiduguri, Nigeria. 3 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069 Maiduguri, Nigeria. Received 27 March 2017; received in revised form 16 June 2017; accepted 03 July 2017 Abstract The purpose of this research work is to study the characteristics of air-water slug flow for energy harvesting applications. It involves an investigation and analysis of the liquid hold-up, slug frequency and the translational velocity from conductivity rings. The experimental test was carried out with a different flow rate of the air-water slug flow in 2-inch rig horizontal pipe using a ring type conductance probe. The conductivity rings were used to obtain the slug flow characteristics. Forces were generated as a result of the fluctuating pressure of the slug flow on the entire cross-sectional area of the pipe. The acquired signal of the pressure fluctuation was used to simulate the expected outcome. The result shows that a maximum forward slug force of 30N per cross-sectional area of the pipe was obtained and 26N force of the fluctuating pressure through the cross-section was generated at the flange-end. The obtained forces can be applied to using electromagnetic or piezoelectric harvester to generate the electrical output in order to energize electro-mechanical devices. Keywords: pressure fluctuation, liquid hold-up, slug flow, slug frequency superficial liquid and gas velocity References [1] P. M. Ujang, C. J. Lawrence, C. P. Hale, and G. F. Hewitt, “Slug initiation and evolution in two-phase horizontal flow,” International Journal of Multiphase Flow, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 527-552, May 2006. [2] S. Al-Lababidi, “Multiphase flow measurement in the slug regime using ultrasonic measurement techniques and slug closure model,” PhD. Dissertation, Dept. Process and System Engineering, Cranfield Univ., June 2006. [3] D. Choi, D. Lee, and D. S. Kim, “A simple approach to characterize gas-aqueous liquid two-phase flow configuration based on discrete solid-liquid contact electrification ,” Pohang Univ. Science and Technology, Dept. Mechanical Engineering, Scientific reports 15172, October 14, 2015. [4] H. Shaban and S. Tavoularis, “The wire-mesh sensor as a two-phase flow meter,” Measurement Science and Technology, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 015-306, December 2014. [5] A. M. Sarciada, “Energy harvesting and storage method for use in residential electronic water meter,” MSc thesis. Dept. of Process and System Engineering, Cranfield Univ., 2011. [6] T. F. Wnek, “Pressure pulsations generated by centrifugal pumps,” http://www.warrenpumps.com/resources/Pressure%2 0Pulsations%20Generated%20by%20Centrifugal%20Pumps.pdf, May 1987. [7] K. McConnell and Y. Park, “The frequency components of fluid-lift forces acting on a cylinder oscillating in still water,” Experimental Mechanics, vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 216-222, June 1982. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: umuktara@yahoo.co.uk