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 fixed bed reaction zone to produce aromatic hydrocarbons and other products, whereby the catalyst is at least partially deactivated by the formation of undesirable coke deposits, (b) periodically regenerating the catalyst under regeneration conditions, (c) separating aromatic hydrocarbons from the other products and unreacted lower alkanes, and (d) optionally recycling unreacted lower alkanes to the reaction zone wherein the fixed bed reaction zone additionally comprises a volume of a catalytically inactive solid.