PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF LOWER ALKANES TO AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

A process is provided for producing aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) contacting a lower alkane feed with a solid particulate aromatic hydrocarbon conversion catalyst in a fluidized bed reaction zone to produce aromatic hydrocarbons and other products, whereby the catalyst is at least partly deactivated by the formation of undesirable coke deposits, (b) continuously withdrawing a portion of the catalyst from the reaction zone, regenerating it in a regeneration zone and returning regenerated catalyst to the reaction zone, (c) maintaining the heat balance between the reaction zone and the regeneration zone by diluting the catalyst particles with particles of a catalytically inactive solid with about the same or improved specific heat and thermal conductivity relative to the catalyst, (d) separating aromatic hydrocarbons from the other products and unreacted lower alkanes, and (e) optionally recycling unreacted lower alkanes to the reaction zone.