Research Progress and Prospects of Refrigerant Replacement Under the Background of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction: A Visualization Analysis of the CiteSpace Map

As global environmental consciousness continues to expand, the issue of refrigerant alternatives has increasingly become a focal point for scholarly attention. Using CiteSpace visualization technology, a comprehensive and innovative research framework for refrigerant alternatives has been developed. This framework systematically organizes and analyzes not only the volume of publications related to refrigerant alternatives but also the collaborative relationships among authors and research institutions. By employing keyword co-occurrence maps, clustering diagrams, and timeline charts, an in-depth analysis of the academic literature on refrigerant alternatives has been performed, elucidating the core research themes, evolutionary trajectories, and emerging trends in this field. Research indicates an exponential increase in the number of studies on refrigerant alternatives; however, there is insufficient collaboration and communication among researchers and institutions. Key research hotspots in this field encompass the organic Rankine cycle, vapor-liquid equilibria, pressure drop characteristics, vapor compression refrigeration systems, exergy analysis, alternative refrigerants, and performance evaluation of carbon dioxide systems. In future research, the performance of various low GWP refrigerants in refrigeration cycle systems will continue to be a focal point. To address diverse application requirements, developing blended refrigerants represents a pragmatic technical approach. From a sustainability standpoint, natural refrigerants are anticipated to emerge as the ultimate alternative, with the technical challenges associated with their application constituting a critical area for future investigation.