Production of aromatics from methane

A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in two or more reaction zones operated in series, the process comprising:

• (a) providing a quantity of catalytic material within each reaction zone;
• (b) providing to a first reaction zone a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane;
• (c) transfer at least a portion of the effluent of the said first reaction zone to a second reaction zone;
• (d) maintaining the first said reaction zone at a lower average temperature than said second reaction zone;
• and
• (e) operating said reaction zones under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said methane to a first effluent having said higher hydrocarbon(s).
• (f) wherein maintaining the first said reaction zone at a lower average temperature than said second reaction zone is achieved by either
• (i) heat transfer through a heat transfer surface in contract with the catalytic material in the reaction zones, or
• (ii) heating of the hydrocarbon stream by heat transfer through a heat transfer surface;
• said heating of the hydrocarbon stream be carried out between said reaction zones.