Technology competition in the internal combustion engine waste heat recovery: a patent landscape analysis

Abstract

Fuel prices and tightening emission standards have challenged the dominance of internal combustion engines. As a response to this changed business context, the automotive industry has shown active interest in waste heat recovery technologies, which have seen rapid development in recent years. This paper uses a literature review and patent landscape analysis to study key emerging technologies in the field, namely, thermoelectric generators, and Rankine cycle and organic Rankine cycle systems. The state-of-the-art review highlights the challenges, advantages and future prospects of the selected technologies. The patent analysis reveals the leading countries, principal technological development indicators and most important actors active in the field. The results indicate a growing trend of patenting in all selected technologies. The United States and Japan are by far the most dominant countries in the waste heat recovery area, although their relative share of patent applications is declining. By applying a patent landscape approach, the study offers a quantitative perspective on current developments in waste heat recovery technology, provides indicators of future trends, and contributes to debate about technological competition in the automotive industry. Based on the conducted analyses, thermoelectric generators seems to be the most developed of the alternatives and closest to commercial application. Rankine cycle-based technologies, although less well developed, potentially offer greater environmental gains and better efficiency than thermoelectric generators. The study provides valuable information for stakeholders interested in waste heat recovery technologies and gives policymakers perspectives regarding different technological options in development of cleaner engine solutions.