Ethane

Ethane, the second member of the alkane series, is the simplest hydrocarbon with a carbon carbon single bond. The structural formula is CH3CH3. The content of ethane in certain natural gases ranges from 5% to 10%, second only to methane; It exists in a dissolved state in petroleum.

Ethane is an alkane with the chemical formula C2H6. All molecules in ethane are covalently bonded, and usually in molecular writing, CH3-CH3 is written to represent only one chemical bond between two C (carbon atoms). It is the only aliphatic hydrocarbon in an alkane composed of two carbon atoms.

Under standard conditions, ethane is a flammable gas, colorless and odorless. At a certain concentration, it can explode if exposed to fire.

Industrial production of ethane is separated from natural gas or a by-product of refineries. In petrochemical industry, it is the raw material for producing ethylene.

application area 

Cracking to produce ethylene

In the chemical industry, ethane is mainly used to produce ethylene through steam cracking. When mixed with steam and subjected to high temperatures of 900 degrees Celsius or above, heavy hydrocarbons break down into light hydrocarbons. Compared to other heavier raw materials, a significant portion of ethane becomes ethylene during steam cracking, while heavier compounds produce many mixtures, including many heavy olefins such as propylene, butadiene, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Refrigerant

Ethane can be used as a refrigerant in refrigeration facilities. In scientific research, liquid ethane is used in electron microscopy to make samples with high water content transparent. Thin water layers quickly freeze and do not form crystals when quickly immersed in liquid ethane at -150 ℃ or lower in the facility. Such rapid freezing will not destroy the structure of soft substances in liquid water like when ice crystallizes.

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