A Decade of Organic Rankine Cycle Research Trends and Evolution: A Bibliometric Analysis

Since 2000, Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) research has experienced a surge in interest,driven by the growing need to recover low-to-medium temperature heat. However, there is a lack of research on trends and science mapping in this field. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of ORC research from 2013 to 2023. Data were gathered from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases until early 2023, ensuring data quality and relevance through filters for publication year, document type, language, and subject area. The analysis utilized Biblioshiny software to manage and interpret the extensive dataset efficiently. The analysis revealed 2,462 articles published during this period, with 3,753 authors from 1,860 institutions in 77 countries. The top five contributing countries were China, the United Kingdom, Iran, and several European countries. The most influential journal was “Energy”; the most prolific author, Zhang H. Tianjin University, made the most significant contribution to ORC research. Furthermore, the thematic analysis identified optimization, waste heat recovery, and zeotropic mixture as motor themes in ORC research. Emerging technologies such as machine learning for system optimization and energy storage integration were also highlighted. The supercritical cycle type was the most widely used concept in the last decade. Additionally, there was a growing interest in recuperative and regenerative ORCs, reflecting advancements in heat exchanger integration and preheating techniques. The study’s findings provide a comprehensive overview of ORC trends and offer proposals for future research. It also pioneers a novel approach in ORC bibliometric research by integrating data from two major databases.