If heat is added to a saturated vapor and its temperature is raised above the boiling point, what is this heat referred to as?

When heat is added to a saturated vapor and its temperature increases above the boiling point, this additional heat is referred to as superheat. In thermodynamics, superheating occurs after a substance has changed from a liquid to a vapor, further increasing the temperature without additional phase change.

Superheat is crucial in refrigeration and air conditioning systems because it ensures that the vapor entering the compressor is in a gaseous state, preventing potential damage to the compressor. This process is significant in analyzing and designing HVAC systems, where maintaining the right conditions can maximize efficiency and ensure equipment longevity.

The other terms mentioned, such as saturated heat and latent heat, are related concepts but do not describe the phenomenon of increasing the temperature of a saturated vapor beyond its boiling point. Latent heat, specifically, pertains to the heat required for a phase change without a temperature change, such as the heat absorbed or released during vaporization or condensation.