This section provides an overview for ethane gas as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 ethane gas manufacturers and their company rankings.
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Ethane gas is an organic compound with the molecular formula C2H6 and the structural formula CH3-CH3.
The molecule can rotate around its long axis and no isomers exist. Under standard conditions of temperature and pressure, it is a colorless, odorless gas with a boiling point of -88.5 °C and a melting point of -182.8 °C.
It is separated by distillation of natural gas, coal gas, and petroleum cracking gas. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is flammable and explosive.
Ethane gas alone is not widely used, but it is used as a raw material for ethylene in many petrochemical products.
Ethane gas were first synthesized by Michael Faraday in 1834 by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of potassium acetate. Naturally, ethane gas were discovered dissolved in Pennsylvania light oil by Edmund Ronald in 1864.
Ethane is insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents. It is stable in both carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bonds and is not highly reactive. It hardly reacts with oxidants, reducing agents, acids, and bases, but light irradiation and heating cause conversion reactions.
Also, when completely combusted, carbon dioxide and water are produced.
C2H6 + 7/2 O2 → 2 CO2 + 3 H2O
Ethane is the second most abundant substance in natural gas after methane and, like other alkanes, is industrially obtained by fractional distillation of natural gas. The content of ethane gas varies from less than 1% to more than 6%, depending on the gas field.
Prior to the 1960s, ethane and larger molecules in natural gas were not separated out and were generally simply used as fuel along with methane. Today, ethane is an important petrochemical feedstock and is most often separated from other components in natural gas.
Specifically, ethane can be efficiently separated from methane by liquefying it at very low temperatures.
Ethane can also be separated from petroleum gas (a gaseous hydrocarbon mixture), which is a byproduct of oil refining.
In a laboratory setting, ethane gas are produced by electrolysis of an aqueous acetate solution.
2 CH3COONa + 2 H2O → C2H6 + 2 CO2 + H2 + 2 NaOH
Ethane is used as a raw material for a variety of chemicals, especially in the production of ethylene. Ethylene is used as an intermediate product in the petrochemical industry, mostly as a raw material for synthetic fibers and organic chemical products. It is also used as a raw material for polyethylene bags, household goods made from polyvinyl chloride, clothing, insulation, electrical wire sheathing, water pipes, synthetic rubber, and many other products around us. Ethylene gas is also utilized for ripening vegetables and fruits.
Ethane gas may also be used as a fuel for power generation, either alone or mixed with natural gas.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
Millipore Sigma, formerly known as Sigma-Aldrich, was created in 175 through the merger of Sigma Chemical Company and Aldrich Chemical company and today is a subsidiary of Merck. Millipore Sigma is a life science and biotechnology company serving the industry with several products and services. Some of their product categories include peptide synthesis materials, biochemicals, building blocks, catalysts, chemical biology, chemical synthesis, flavors & fragrances, formulation, lab chemicals, lab safety, APIs, and stable isotopes. Services include characterization, contract manufacturing, custom products, software, support, testing, and mRNA development & manufacturing.
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