The Hydrogen-Graphite Reaction between 360 and 800°

Studies were made on the hydrogenolysis of graphite at 360 to 800 deg C. Below 580 deg C the reaction was zero order with respect to hydrogen at pressures of 90 to 180 cm. The reaction order gradually increased above 580 deg C and reached 0.6 at 800 deg C. The rate constant for methane production varied from 2.0 x 10/sup -16/ (360 deg C) to 3.3 x 10/sup -12/ mole per g sec (800 deg C). An increasing proportion of 5 higher hydrocarbons in the reaction products below 650 deg C was found. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed. (P.C.H.)