Process for Converting Oxygenates to Aromatic Hydrocarbons

An oxygenate conversion process, the process comprising:

• (a) providing a first mixture, the first mixture comprising ≧10.0 wt. % oxygenate based on the weight of the first mixture;
• (b) exposing the first mixture at a temperature ≧400° C. at a pressure ≧2 bar absolute in the presence of a catalyst to convert ≧90.0 wt. % of the first mixture's oxygenate to (i) water, (ii) hydrocarbon, and (iii) ≦1.0 wt. % carbon monoxide, the weight percents being based on the weight of oxygenate in the first mixture, wherein
• (1) the catalyst comprises ≧10.0 wt. % of at least one molecular sieve and ≧0.1 wt. % of at least one element selected from Groups 2-14 of the Periodic Table, the weight percents being based on the weight of the catalyst, and
• (2) the hydrocarbon comprises ≧50.0 wt. % of aromatics, based on the weight of the hydrocarbon;
• and
• (c) separating the aromatics from one or more of (i) at least a portion of the water produced in step (b), (ii) any unreacted oxygenate, and/or (iii) at least a portion of the hydrocarbon.