Method for producing light aromatic hydrocarbons

A method for producing light aromatic hydrocarbons comprising the steps of:

• 1) Contacting a feedstock comprising a C9+ paraffinic hydrocarbon with a dehydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in a first reaction zone for a first reaction to dehydrocyclize at least a part of the C9+ paraffinic hydrocarbon to obtain a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon to obtain a product stream comprising the C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon, wherein the dehydrogenation catalyst comprises alumina and a Group VIII metal, a Group IVA metal, a Group IA metal and a halogen supported thereon;
• 2) Contacting the product stream comprising the C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon obtained in step 1) with a dealkylation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in a second reaction zone for a second reaction to dealkylate at least a part of the C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon to obtain a light aromatic hydrocarbon, wherein the dealkylation catalyst comprises a KL zeolite, platinum, and a modifying metal supported thereon, wherein the modifying metal is selected from the group consisting of Group IIA metals and rare earth metals.