Production of aromatics from methane

A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, the process comprising:

• (a) supplying a feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to a reaction zone;
• (b) operating said reaction zone under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of said methane to said higher hydrocarbon(s) and to deposit carbonaceous materials on the catalyst causing catalyst deactivation;
• (c) removing at least part of said deactivated catalytic particulate material from said reaction zone;
• (d) heating a first portion of the removed catalytic particulate material 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;
• (e) regenerating said heated first portion of the catalytic particulate material with a hydrogen containing gas in a first regeneration zone under conditions, including a first pressure, effective to convert at least part of the carbonaceous materials on the catalytic particulate material to methane;
• (f) transferring a second portion of the removed catalytic particulate material from (c) or (e) to a second regeneration zone;
• (g) regenerating said second portion of the catalytic particulate material with a hydrogen containing gas in said second regeneration zone under conditions, including a second pressure different from said first pressure, effective to convert at least part of the carbonaceous materials on the catalytic particulate material to methane;
• and
• (h) recycling at least a portion of the heated catalytic particulate material from (d) and/or at least a portion of said regenerated catalytic particulate material from (e) and/or at least a portion of said regenerated catalytic particulate material from (g) to said reaction zone.

A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, the process comprising:

• (a) supplying a feedstock comprising methane to a reaction zone containing a particulate catalytic material;
• (b) operating said reaction zone under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of said methane to said higher hydrocarbon(s) and to deposit carbonaceous material on the particulate catalytic material causing catalyst deactivation;
• (c) discontinuing the supply of methane containing feedstock to said reaction zone;
• (d) heating said reaction zone to a regeneration 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;
• (e) regenerating said particulate catalytic material in said heated reaction zone with a hydrogen-containing gas under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the carbonaceous material thereon to methane;
• and
• (f) re-establishing supply of methane containing feedstock to said reaction zone.