How Is Latent Heat Stored?
Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. At lower temperatures, these molecules are loosely bonded to each other. When heat is transferred to the water, the molecules begin to vibrate and the temperature starts to rise. As the heat increases, the molecules vibrate more and more until the bond holding them together is severely weakened. When sufficient heat has been transferred to the water to break the bonds, the molecules explode apart, creating steam. After the steam has been transported to the heat exchanger, it gives up its latent heat to raise the temperature of some product or to power some operation. As the steam gives up its latent heat to the work effort, it condenses back into water.
