Natural refrigerants are considered more sustainable due to their significantly lower environmental impact compared to the synthetic alternatives currently used in the market. As a result, increasing regulatory pressure is driving the transition toward natural working fluids in heat pump systems.

This shift, likely essential for the future of the technology, requires continuous optimization to improve efficiency, enhance safety standards, and eliminate the use of harmful refrigerants. One effective strategy for increasing the coefficient of performance (COP) in heat pumps is the use of vapor injection compressors.

To evaluate such system configurations, detailed numerical models are essential that accurately represent the compressor's geometry and dynamic behavior. In th ...