Process for the conversion of relatively low molecular weight hydrocarbons, to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, catalyst-reagents for such use in such process, and the regeneration thereof

Novel regenerable catalyst-reagents, and a new and improved process utilizing said regenerable catalyst-reagents, for the conversion, and oligomerization of hydrocarbons, notably methane, at relatively low temperatures to produce products rich in ethylene or benzene, or both, usually in admixture with other hydrocarbons; and process for the regeneration of said catalyst-reagents. (a) The catalyst-reagents are multi-functional and are comprised of (1) a Group VIII noble metal having an atomic number of 45 or greater, nickel, or a Group 1-B noble metal having an atomic number of 47 or greater; (2) a Group VI-B metal oxide which is capable of being reduced to a lower oxide, or admixture of metal oxides which includes one or more of such metal oxides; and, (3) a Group II-A metal or alkaline-earth metal, composited with a suitably passivated, spinel-coated refractory support, notably an inorganic oxide support, preferably alumina. (b) The process is one wherein a hydrocarbon feed, notably methane, is contacted and reacted with a catalyst-reagent as characterized in (a), supra, at temperature ranging from about 1150 DEG F. to about 1600 DEG F.; and also embodies (c) a process for regeneration of said catalyst-reagent which has become inactivated as by use in the process characterized in (b), supra, by contact thereof in an exothermic reaction with water, oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, preferably air, at temperatures sufficient to reoxidize the Group VI-B metal oxide, and preferably also sufficient to provide the required sensible heat for the operation of said novel hydrocarbon conversion process (b), supra, on recycle of the catalyst-reagent.