Patent ID: 8575411
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: C01B,C07C,C10G,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for converting at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms into at least one aromatic hydrocarbon, the process comprising: (a) reacting a feed stream, E, comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the presence of a catalyst under nonoxidative conditions to give a product stream, P, comprising at least one aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen; and (b) electrochemically removing at least part of the hydrogen formed in the reacting from the product stream, P, with a gastight membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane and at least one electrode catalyst on each side of the membrane, wherein at least part of the hydrogen is oxidized to protons over the anode catalyst on a retentate side of the membrane and the protons are, after passing through the membrane on a permeate side, reacted with oxygen to form water over a cathode catalyst, with the oxygen originating from an oxygen-comprising stream, O, which is brought into contact with the permeate side of the membrane.