US 7,589,246 B2
Production of aromatics from methane
Larry L. Iaccino, Seabrook, Tex. (US); Teng Xu, Houston, Tex. (US); J. Scott Buchanan, Lambertville, N.J. (US); Neeraj Sangar, League City, Tex. (US); Jeremy J. Patt, Lake Jackson, Tex. (US); Mark A. Nierode, Houston, Tex. (US); Kenneth R. Clem, Humble, Tex. (US); and Mobae Afeworki, Phillipsburg, N.J. (US)
Assigned to ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc., Houston, Tex. (US)
Filed on Mar. 03, 2008, as Appl. No. 12/41,275.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/921724, filed on Apr. 04, 2007.
Prior Publication US 2008/0249342 A1, Oct. 09, 2008
Int. Cl. C07C 2/42 (2006.01); C07C 2/46 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 585—407  [585/418; 585/419; 585/420; 585/943] 19 Claims
 
1. A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, the process comprising:
(a) supplying a feedstock comprising methane and a particulate catalytic 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 material on the particulate catalytic material causing catalyst deactivation;
(c) removing at least a portion of said deactivated particulate catalytic material from said reaction zone;
(d) heating at least a portion of the removed particulate catalytic 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 portion of said particulate catalytic material with a hydrogen-containing gas in a regeneration zone under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the carbonaceous material thereon to methane; and
(f) recycling at least a portion of said catalytic particulate material from (e) to said reaction zone.