A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF HEAT EXCHANGER TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH TRENDS: THE USE OF BIBLIOMETRICS
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Abstract
This study evaluates the development of heat exchanger (HE) technology from 2015 to 2024 through a bibliometric analysis of 880 Scopus-indexed articles. As a critical component of thermal systems, HE remains a primary focus for enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability across various industries. This study adopts a systematic approach, using tools such as VOSviewer to map research trends and to conduct co-occurrence keyword analysis. The findings indicate a significant annual increase in publications, with key research themes including heat transfer enhancement, thermal energy storage, and waste heat recovery dominating the literature. Numerical simulations, particularly computational fluid dynamics and material innovations such as phase change materials, have been pivotal in advancing HE technology. However, research gaps remain, including limited experimental validation, insufficient development of environmentally friendly materials, and a lack of exploration into ultra-compact HE designs. This study recommends integrating artificial intelligence to optimize performance, developing sustainable materials, and conducting more targeted research on waste heat utilization and integrated thermal energy storage systems. These findings significantly advance HE technology toward greater efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability while providing strategic directions for future research.
Keywords:
Bibliometric analysis, ; Heat exchanger technology, Heat transfer enhancement, Thermal energy storage, Waste heat recoveryReferences
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