An Equation for the Latent Heat of Vaporization

An expression for the latent heat of vaporization of a fluid Is formulated employing renormalization-group theory predictions for the thermodynamics of fluids in the vicinity of the critical point. A least-squares fit of the latent heat data of water is made using the general and relatively simple equation: yielding predicted values that are in excellent agreement with the data throughout a wide range of temperatures. The optimum value of the critical temperature, 373.92 °C, is found to be somewhat tower than the tabulated value.