On release of methane from the graphite

To determine the source of the small fraction of hydrocarbon found in the gas released when graphite is heated above room temperature experiments are described in which the volume of methane realised at 10400C is determined from nuclear graphite specimens of various histories when heated in helium. The results are summarized and it is concluded that the source of the hydrocarbons is the product of the reaction of graphite with hydrogen formed from the primary reaction of graphite with water. (U.K.)