ethane

[eth-eyn] /ˈɛθ eɪn/

noun, Chemistry

a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, C ₂ H ₆ , of the methane series, present in natural gas, illuminating gas, and crude petroleum: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel gas.

Also called dimethyl.

Origin

1870-75; eth(yl) + -ane

Examples from the web for ethane

The trouble is that the ethane route to making ethylene produces virtually no propylene.
The inner envelope holds helium in the head section of the blimp and an ethane fuel gas in the three tail sections.
In fact, the team found ethane, methane and ethylene in spring water located near the oracle.
The technology might one day wring more diesel fuel and ethane gas from hydrocarbon byproducts produced by oil refineries.
Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, but contains ethane, propane and butane as well.
ethane is typically supplied as purity ethane or as part of ethane-propane mix.

British Dictionary definitions for ethane

ethane

/ˈiːθeɪn; ˈɛθ-/

noun

a colourless odourless flammable gaseous alkane obtained from natural gas and petroleum: used as a fuel and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C2H6

Word Origin

C19: from eth(yl) + -ane

Word Origin and History for ethane

1873, from ethyl + -ane, the appropriate suffix under Hofmann's system.

ethane in Science

ethane

(ěth'ān')
A colorless, odorless, flammable gas occurring in natural gas. It is used as a fuel and in refrigeration. Ethane is the second member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C₂H₆.

Encyclopedia Article for ethane

a colourless, odourless, gaseous hydrocarbon (compound of hydrogen and carbon), belonging to the paraffin series; its chemical formula is C2H6. Ethane is structurally the simplest hydrocarbon that contains a single carbon-carbon bond. The second most important constituent of natural gas, it also occurs dissolved in petroleum oils and as a by-product of oil refinery operations and of the carbonization of coal.

Learn more about ethane with a free trial on Britannica.com