Q:
What are the uses of ethane?
A:
Quick Answer
Ethane is used in the production of ethylene for making plastics, anti-freeze and detergents; it's a ripening agent for foods, a refrigerant, a substance in producing welding gas and a primary ingredient in mustard gas. Ethane is a component in the natural gas methane and is removed by cryogenic liquefaction.
Continue Reading
Credit:
Hefin Owen
CC-BY-2.0
Full Answer
Ethane is one of the primary alkanes, along with propane, butane and methane. Alkanes are carbon and hydrogen-based chemical compounds whose carbon atoms only have a single bond. Before the 1960s, ethane was not separated from methane for use as feedstock in petrochemical processes, though its presence was discovered in 1834 by Michael Faraday.
Learn more about ChemistrySources:
Related Questions
-
Q:
What are some uses of caustic soda?
A: Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is used in the manufacture of plastic wrap, soap and paper and is the major ingredient in most oven cleaners and liquid ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are some uses of ammonium sulfide?
A: Ammonium sulfide is widely used in large-scale applications, such as the production of photographic developers, the application of patina to bronze and tex... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are the main uses of hydrochloric acid?
A: The main uses of hydrochloric acid include the production of fertilizers, dyes and electroplating. Hydrochloric acid is also utilized in the production of ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is a monatomic gas?
A: A monoatomic gas is a gaseous substance composed of molecules that each contain only one atom each rather than molecules formed by the bonding of two or mo... Full Answer >Filed Under:
