Ethane

Key Characteristics and Chemical Behavior:
Ethane has a linear molecular structure in which two carbon atoms are connected by a single covalent bond. Due to its saturated nature, ethane exhibits relatively low reactivity and primarily participates in radical reactions such as thermal cracking. Its low boiling point (−88.6°C) allows for its separation from other natural gas components at extremely low temperatures.

Industrial Applications and Conversion Processes:
The primary industrial use of ethane is as a feedstock for ethylene production units. In the steam cracking process, ethane is converted to ethylene at around 850°C in the presence of steam, achieving a yield of approximately 80–85%. The ethylene produced through this method is used as a key raw material for a wide range of petrochemical products, including polyethylene, ethylene glycol, and styrene.

Extraction and Production Methods:
Ethane is mainly extracted from natural gas through cryogenic separation processes. In this method, natural gas, after passing through sweetening and natural gas liquids (NGL) separation units, is cooled to around −100°C, allowing the separation of its components such as methane, ethane, propane, and butane. In some refineries, ethane is also produced as a byproduct of catalytic reforming and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes.