Title: Ethane
CAS Registry Number: 74-84-0
Additional Names: Bimethyl; dimethyl; methylmethane; ethyl hydride
Molecular Formula: C2H6
Molecular Weight: 30.07
Percent Composition: C 79.88%, H 20.11%
Line Formula: CH3CH3
Literature References: Constituent of natural gas (about 9%). Can be recovered from the gases produced during the distillation of crude petroleum. Review: Smith, Hanson, Oil Gas J. 44, no. 10, 119 (1945).
Properties: Colorless, odorless gas. Flammable asphyxiant. Burns with a faintly luminous flame. d40 1.0493 (air = 1) or 1.3562 g/l. d40 liq 0.446. mp -172°. bp -88°. Crit temp 32°; crit press. 48.2 atm. Heat of combustion: 1727 Btu/cu ft at 25° (one pound of CH3CH3 yields 20,420 Btu [net] at 15.56°). Flammable limits in air: 3.2 to 12.5% by vol. Ignition temp (in air): 530°. Soly in water at 20°: 4.7 ml/100 ml H2O; in alc at 4°: 46 ml/100 ml alc.
Melting point: mp -172°
Boiling point: bp -88°
Density: d40 1.0493 (air = 1) or 1.3562 g/l; d40 liq 0.446
CAUTION: Narcotic in high concns. A simple asphyxiant.
Use: In the manuf of chlorinated derivs; as refrigerant in some two-stage refrigeration systems where relatively low temps are produced; as fuel gas (so called "bottled gas" or "suburban propane" contains about 90% propane, 5% ethane, and 5% butane). |