Heat of Condensation Calculator
Calculate the heat energy released when vapor condenses into liquid during phase change. Perfect for thermodynamics studies, HVAC design, and distillation processes.
Condensation Parameters
Condensation Heat Results
Error
Select substance and enter parameters to calculate condensation heat
Understanding Heat of Condensation
Heat of condensation is the energy released when a vapor changes phase into a liquid. This exothermic process is the reverse of evaporation, where heat is absorbed instead of released. Understanding condensation heat is crucial for designing refrigeration systems, distillation processes, and heat exchangers.
The amount of heat released depends on the mass of vapor condensing and the substance's latent heat of condensation. Each substance has its own characteristic latent heat value that determines how much energy is released during this phase change.
Heat of Condensation Formula
Latent Heat = Q ÷ Mass [Reverse calculation]
This formula shows that the total heat released is directly proportional to the mass of vapor condensing. The latent heat of condensation is a characteristic property of each substance, measured in energy per unit mass.
Condensation Heat Examples
| Substance | Mass (kg) | Latent Heat (kJ/kg) | Heat Released (kJ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 2 | 2260 | 4520 |
| Ethanol | 1 | 846 | 846 |
| Ammonia | 0.5 | 1370 | 685 |
| Acetone | 3 | 518 | 1554 |
| Methanol | 1.5 | 1104 | 1656 |
| Benzene | 2.2 | 394 | 867 |
| Toluene | 0.8 | 363 | 290 |
| Chloroform | 1.8 | 247 | 445 |
| Diethyl Ether | 0.6 | 355 | 213 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 2.5 | 194 | 485 |
| n-Hexane | 1.2 | 366 | 439 |
| Cyclohexane | 1.4 | 392 | 549 |
| Acetic Acid | 0.9 | 439 | 395 |
| n-Octane | 1.6 | 363 | 581 |
| Isooctane | 1.1 | 297 | 327 |
| Dichloromethane | 1.3 | 327 | 425 |
| Trichloroethylene | 2.1 | 240 | 504 |
| n-Propanol | 0.7 | 687 | 481 |
| Isopropanol | 0.85 | 664 | 564 |
| n-Butanol | 1.9 | 582 | 1106 |
| Acetonitrile | 0.4 | 846 | 338 |
| Nitromethane | 1.7 | 460 | 782 |
| Pyridine | 0.95 | 454 | 431 |
These examples demonstrate how different substances release varying amounts of heat during condensation. Water has one of the highest latent heats of condensation, which explains why steam condensing on a surface releases significant thermal energy.
How to Calculate Condensation Heat
- Identify the substance: Choose the condensing vapor and find its latent heat of condensation
- Determine the mass: Measure or calculate the mass of vapor that will condense
- Apply the formula: Multiply mass by latent heat to get total heat released
- Consider practical applications: Use appropriate units for your engineering context
This calculator automatically handles unit conversions between different systems, making it useful for engineers working with international standards or mixed measurement systems.
Heat of condensation calculations are essential in HVAC design, distillation processes, power generation, and many industrial applications where phase change heat transfer occurs.