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Statistical analysis of patent data relating to the organic Rankine cycle

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  • Fu, Ben-Ran
  • Hsu, Sung-Wei
  • Liu, Chih-Hsi
  • Liu, Yu-Ching

Abstract

This study analyzed patent data to explore the technological developments based on the organic Rankine cycle (ORC), which is one of the most economical and efficient methods for converting low-grade thermal energy into electricity. The patent data were obtained from the Thomson Innovation commercial database, which contains patent information from various countries and offices. After querying, filtering, and organizing the results into patent families in accordance with International Patent Documentation Center guidelines, this study analyzed data on 304 ORC-related patents. The results show that the number of patent applications increased gradually before 2006, and then rapidly from 2009 to 2011, primarily because of contributions from patent applications in China (CN) and the Republic of Korea (KR). The present findings indicate that 2009 is an important year regarding developments in ORC systems and the number of patent applications. Furthermore, the assignees from the United States (US) were the most prominent contributors. However, the most patent applications were filed in CN, indicating that the market for ORC systems in CN might offer the most potential for future development. This study also examined the top ten patent assignees, as well as the trends of the number of patent applications, size of patent families, and frequency of patent citations. The results show that all of the top ten assignees were from the US, CN, and KR. Moreover, most of them filed their patent applications in recent years, particularly after 2008. The results further indicate that the most active assignee is currently General Electric Company (US). In addition, the top five patent families and the five most frequently cited patents are briefly reviewed and discussed. The patent data analysis results indicate that the technology life cycle status of the ORC is currently in the growth stage.

Suggested Citation

  • Fu, Ben-Ran & Hsu, Sung-Wei & Liu, Chih-Hsi & Liu, Yu-Ching, 2014. "Statistical analysis of patent data relating to the organic Rankine cycle," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 986-994.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:39:y:2014:i:c:p:986-994
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.070
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    2. Fujii, Hidemichi & Shirakawa, Seiji, 2015. "Decomposition analysis of green chemical technology inventions from 1971 to 2010 in Japan," MPRA Paper 62790, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. José Luis Míguez & Jacobo Porteiro & Raquel Pérez-Orozco & Miguel Ángel Gómez, 2018. "Technology Evolution in Membrane-Based CCS," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Luis Míguez, José & Porteiro, Jacobo & Pérez-Orozco, Raquel & Patiño, David & Rodríguez, Sandra, 2018. "Evolution of CO2 capture technology between 2007 and 2017 through the study of patent activity," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 1282-1296.
    5. Chang, Shu-Hao & Fan, Chin-Yuan, 2016. "Identification of the technology life cycle of telematics: A patent-based analytical perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 1-10.
    6. Sikarwar, Shailesh Singh & Surywanshi, Gajanan Dattarao & Patnaikuni, Venkata Suresh & Kakunuri, Manohar & Vooradi, Ramsagar, 2020. "Chemical looping combustion integrated Organic Rankine Cycled biomass-fired power plant – Energy and exergy analyses," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 931-949.
    7. Sarkar, Jahar & Bhattacharyya, Souvik, 2015. "Potential of organic Rankine cycle technology in India: Working fluid selection and feasibility study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1618-1625.
    8. Zhao, Ruikai & Zhao, Li & Deng, Shuai & Zheng, Nan, 2015. "Trends in patents for solar thermal utilization in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 852-862.
    9. Míguez, José Luis & Porteiro, Jacobo & Pérez-Orozco, Raquel & Patiño, David & Gómez, Miguel Ángel, 2020. "Biological systems for CCS: Patent review as a criterion for technological development," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).

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