noun
- Plural of ethane; colorless, odorless hydrocarbon gases (C₂H₆) found in natural gas and used as fuel and in chemical synthesis.
Usage: chemistry; technical
Examples
- Ethanes are among the simplest hydrocarbons found in crude oil.
- The refinery separates ethanes from other gases during processing.
- Ethanes can be converted into ethylene for plastic production.
- Natural gas contains small amounts of ethanes mixed with methane.
- Industrial plants use ethanes as a feedstock for chemical manufacturing.