Dissociation kinetic behavior of methane hydrate was studied at 268.15 K using thermal method in a closed quiescent middle-sized reactor of 10 L, which with a multi-deck cell-type vessel as the internals and coiled copper tubes placed inside assuring hydrate form or dissociate in all cells of the vessel simultaneously to reduce or eliminate the scale-up effect. A dramatically reduced dissociation rate phenomenon - "buffered dissociation" due to the ice melting was observed. The influences of the water temperature, the heating rate, the quantity of hydrate, and the dissociation pressure upon the dissociation rate and the extent of the buffering effect were investigated experimentally to reveal the gas production mechanism from hydrate below the ice point. The experimental results indicate that the rate of heat transfer and the thermodynamic driving force were the key rate-limiting factors for hydrate dissociation in the closed reactor. The buffering effect of gas production can be eliminated and the dissociation rate can be increased by increasing the temperature of the heating water and lowering the dissociation pressure. However, the temperature buffering behavior cannot be eliminated. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.