Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. The reaction zone is contained within a reactor and the reactor or an internal component of the reactor has at least one surface that is chemically exposed to the feed and is formed from a refractory material that exhibits a carbon uptake (mass of carbon absorbed per unit of exposed metal surface area) of less than 25 g/m2 when exposed to mixture of 50 vol % methane and 50 vol % H2 at 900° C. for 168 hours.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. The reaction zone is contained within a reactor and the reactor or an internal component of the reactor has at least one surface that is chemically exposed to the feed and is formed from a refractory material that exhibits a carbon uptake (mass of carbon absorbed per unit of exposed metal surface area) of less than 25 g/m2 when exposed to mixture of 50 vol % methane and 50 vol % H2 at 900° C. for 168 hours.

Abstract: A catalyst for the conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons comprises molybdenum or a compound thereof dispersed on an aluminosilicate zeolite, wherein the amount of aluminum present as aluminum molybdate in the catalyst is less than 2700 ppm by weight.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. The reaction zone is contained within a reactor and the reactor or an internal component of the reactor has at least one surface that is chemically exposed to the feed and is formed from a refractory material that exhibits a carbon uptake (mass of carbon absorbed per unit of exposed metal surface area) of less than 25 g/m2 when exposed to mixture of 50 vol % methane and 50 vol % H2 at 900° C. for 168 hours.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. A first portion of the catalyst is transferred from the reaction zone to a heating zone, where the first catalyst portion is heated by contacting the catalyst with hot combustion gases generated by burning a supplemental source of fuel. The heated first catalyst portion is then returned to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) comprises providing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to a reactor system having at least first and second reaction zones connected in series. Each of the reaction zones is operated under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the methane to said higher hydrocarbon(s) and is maintained in a moving bed fashion, with the bulk of the catalytic particulate material being moved from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone and with the bulk of the hydrocarbon feedstock being moved from the second reaction zone to the first reaction zone.

Abstract: A catalyst for the conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons comprises a support and molybdenum or a compound thereof dispersed on the support. The support comprises an aluminosilicate zeolite combined with a binder selected from silica, titania, zirconia and mixtures thereof. The catalyst is substantially free of aluminum external to the framework of the aluminosilicate zeolite.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is supplied to one or more reaction zone(s) containing catalytic material operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons; the reaction zone(s) being operated with an inverse temperature profile.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is supplied to one or more reaction zone(s) containing catalytic material operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons; the reaction zone(s) being operated with an inverse temperature profile.

Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in a reaction zone comprises providing to a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to the reaction zone and contacting the catalytic particulate material and the hydrocarbon feedstock in a substantially countercurrent fashion in the reaction zone, while operating the reaction zone under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said methane to a first effluent having said higher hydrocarbon(s).

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions including a first maximum temperature effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and generate coke on the catalyst. A portion of the coked catalyst is transferred from the reaction zone to a separate regeneration zone, where the catalyst portion is contacted with a regeneration gas under conditions including a second maximum temperature less than or equal to the first maximum temperature and effective to at least partially remove coke from the catalyst portion. Before being returned to the reaction zone, the regenerated catalyst portion is contacted with a carburizing gas in a catalyst treatment zone separate from the reaction zone at a third maximum temperature less than the first maximum temperature.

Abstract: An oxygenate conversion catalyst useful in the conversion of oxygenates such as methanol to olefinic products may be improved by the use of a catalyst combination based on a molecular sieve in combination with a co-catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide composition which has oxidation/reduction functionality under the conditions of the conversion. This metal oxide co-catalyst component will comprise a mixed oxide of one or more, preferably at least two, transition metals, usually of Series 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table, with the metals of Series 4 being preferred, as an essential component of the mixed oxide composition. The preferred transition metals are those of Groups 5, especially titanium and vanadium, Group 6, especially chromium or molybdenum, Group 7, especially manganese and Group 8, especially cobalt or nickel. Other metal oxides may also be present.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. A first portion of the catalyst is transferred from the reaction zone to a heating zone, where the first catalyst portion is heated by contacting the catalyst with hot combustion gases generated by burning a supplemental source of fuel. The heated first catalyst portion is then returned to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) comprises providing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to a reactor system having at least first and second reaction zones connected in series. Each of the reaction zones is operated under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the methane to said higher hydrocarbon(s) and is maintained in a moving bed fashion, with the bulk of the catalytic particulate material being moved from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone and with the bulk of the hydrocarbon feedstock being moved from the second reaction zone to the first reaction zone.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane and a particulate catalytic material are supplied to a reaction zone operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and to deposit carbonaceous material on the particulate catalytic material causing catalyst deactivation. At least a portion of the deactivated particulate catalytic material is removed from the reaction zone and is heated to a temperature of about 700° C. to about 1200° C. by direct and/or indirect contact with combustion gases produced by combustion of a supplemental fuel. The heated particulate catalytic material is then regenerated with a hydrogen-containing gas under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the carbonaceous material thereon to methane and the regenerated catalytic particulate material is recycled back to the reaction zone.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane and a particulate catalytic material are supplied to a reaction zone operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and to deposit carbonaceous material on the particulate catalytic material causing catalyst deactivation. At least a portion of the deactivated particulate catalytic material is removed from the reaction zone and is heated to a temperature of about 700° C. to about 1200° C. by direct and/or indirect contact with combustion gases produced by combustion of a supplemental fuel. The heated particulate catalytic material is then regenerated with a hydrogen-containing gas under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the carbonaceous material thereon to methane and the regenerated catalytic particulate material is recycled back to the reaction zone.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. The reaction zone is contained within a reactor and the reactor or an internal component of the reactor has at least one surface that is chemically exposed to the feed and is formed from a refractory material that exhibits a carbon uptake (mass of carbon absorbed per unit of exposed metal surface area) of less than 25 g/m2 when exposed to mixture of 50 vol % methane and 50 vol % H2 at 900° C. for 168 hours.

Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in a reaction zone comprises providing to a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to the reaction zone and contacting the catalytic particulate material and the hydrocarbon feedstock in a substantially countercurrent fashion in the reaction zone, while operating the reaction zone under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said methane to a first effluent having said higher hydrocarbon(s).

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. A first portion of the catalyst is transferred from the reaction zone to a heating zone, where the first catalyst portion is heated by contacting the catalyst with hot combustion gases generated by burning a supplemental source of fuel. The heated first catalyst portion is then returned to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) comprises providing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to a reactor system having at least first and second reaction zones connected in series. Each of the reaction zones is operated under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the methane to said higher hydrocarbon(s) and is maintained in a moving bed fashion, with the bulk of the catalytic particulate material being moved from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone and with the bulk of the hydrocarbon feedstock being moved from the second reaction zone to the first reaction zone.