What type of heat transfer involves a change in physical state?

The concept of latent heat transfer is specifically associated with the energy exchanged during a change in physical state of a substance without a change in temperature. When a substance undergoes a phase change, such as from solid to liquid (melting) or from liquid to gas (evaporation), latent heat is either absorbed or released. This process is crucial in various mechanical and thermodynamic systems, including gas turbines, where the efficient management of phase changes can impact performance.

In these scenarios, the energy involved does not lead to a temperature increase but rather facilitates the transformation from one state to another. For instance, when water boils, it changes from liquid to steam, absorbing latent heat, which is critical for energy transfer in thermal systems. Understanding this concept is vital for technicians working with gas turbines, as controlling temperature while managing phase changes can optimize system efficiency and performance.