What is ethane?
Ethane is a complex gaseous substance that is heavier than air. The mass of 1 m³ of ethane at 0°C and a pressure of 760 mmHg is 1.357 kg.
Its molecular formula is C₂H₆, meaning that an ethane molecule consists of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms.
The heat of combustion for 1 kg of ethane is 47,800 kJ (11,349 kcal).
The heat of combustion for 1 m³ of ethane is 63,800 kJ (15,226 kcal). Burning 1 m³ of ethane requires 16.66 m³ of air.
The boiling point of liquid ethane is -88.7°C. It is present in natural gas at concentrations of up to 4.2%.
