What is the latent heat of vaporization for water at 212°F?

The latent heat of vaporization for water at 212°F is 540 Btu/lb. This value indicates the amount of energy required to convert water from its liquid phase to vapor without a change in temperature. At this specific boiling point, water absorbs this heat energy, allowing for the phase change to occur.

In practical applications, understanding the latent heat of vaporization is crucial in fire protection engineering, as it affects how water behaves during fire suppression efforts. The 540 Btu per pound value is a commonly accepted standard used in calculations involving steam or in processes that require the use of water to absorb heat, such as in fire alarm systems that may be tied to sprinkler systems.

This detail highlights the significance of the latent heat of vaporization in scenarios where efficient thermal management is necessary, emphasizing why this particular value is important in the context of fire alarm and suppression systems.