Patent ID: 7772447

Claim:
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons, the process comprising: (a) contacting a feed containing methane and at least one of H 2 , H 2 O, CO and CO 2 with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene and naphthalene, and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, wherein said first effluent stream comprises at least 5 wt % more aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed; and (b) reacting at least part said aromatic hydrocarbons from said first effluent stream with hydrogen to produce a second effluent stream having a reduced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said first effluent stream, wherein said reacting hydrogenates and hydrocracks at least a portion of the naphthalene in said first effluent stream to produce alkylated single ring aromatic compounds.