Patent ID: 7759535

Claim:
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, the process comprising: (a) contacting a feed containing methane with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, wherein said first effluent stream comprises at least 5 wt % more aromatic rings than said feed; and (b) reacting at least part of the hydrogen from said first effluent stream with an oxygen-containing species selected from carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof under conditions effective to produce a second effluent stream having a reduced hydrogen content compared with said first effluent stream; wherein reacting (b) comprises: (i) reacting hydrogen to form hydrocarbons and water, (ii) removing at least a portion of the water from said second effluent stream, and (iii) recycling at least portion of the hydrocarbons from said second effluent stream to said contacting (a).