ethane

[ eth-eyn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. 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.

ethane

/ ˈɛθ-; ˈiːθeɪn /

noun

1. a colourless odourless flammable gaseous alkane obtained from natural gas and petroleum: used as a fuel and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C 2 H 6

ethane

/ ĕth′ān′ /

1. 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: C 2 H 6 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethane¹

First recorded in 1870–75; eth(yl) + -ane

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethane¹

C19: from eth ( yl ) + -ane

Example Sentences

These otherworldly river systems are thought to be filled with liquid methane and ethane that flows into wide lakes and seas, some as large as the Great Lakes on Earth.

From Science Daily

The gas entering the LNG facility is composed primarily of methane, but it also contains small amounts of ethane, propane, butane and other hydrocarbons collectively referred to as volatile organic compounds.

From Seattle Times

It's ethane and methane, so if there's anything swimming around in there, it would be life as we absolutely do not know it.

From Salon

The plant uses ethane from a vast shale gas reservoir underneath Pennsylvania and surrounding states to make polyethylene, a plastic used in everything from consumer and food packaging to tires.

From Seattle Times

She measured the expected hydrocarbons—some methane, some ethane—but they didn’t add up to the total mass in her samples.

From Science Magazine