Patent ID: 7659437

Claim:
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in a reactor system comprising at least first and second reaction zones connected in series, the process comprising: (a) providing to said reactor system a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane; (b) providing to said reactor system a catalytic particulate material; (c) moving the bulk of said catalytic particulate material from said first reaction zone to said second reaction zone and moving the bulk of said hydrocarbon feedstock from said second reaction zone to said first reaction zone in the direction opposite that of said catalytic particulate material movement; (d) maintaining said reaction zones in a moving bed fashion; and (e) operating each of said reaction zones under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said methane to a first effluent comprising said higher hydrocarbon(s); further characterized in that the catalytic particulate material enters the reaction zone at a temperature of about 800° C. to about 1200° C. and exits the reaction zone at a temperature of about 500° C. to about 800° C., with the total temperature difference of the catalytic particulate material across the reaction zones being at least −100° C.