Submitted by samskiter t3_zsiyxn in askscience
user31415926535 t1_j18ie2a wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in Why do we use phase change refrigerants? by samskiter
>heat of fusion
"fusion" just means "melting" in this case, changing state from solid to liquid.
seven_tech t1_j18jtxf wrote
Yes, I've never heard it called that, though the internet says it's a thing. At Uni here, it's called enthalpy of phase transition (or enthalpy of melting). Fusion is only the literal atomic process of fusing 2 atoms. I have a feeling heat of fusion is a very antiquated version that's being replaced, because fusion has such a specific chemical meaning. Sublimation, evaporation, melting and condensation are the only phase change phrases we have ever referred to at Uni.
But also, still not relevant here. Almost all commercial (and most industrial) refrigeration uses gas and liquid, not solid and liquid.
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