US Patent 7759535 Production of aromatic hydrocarbons from methane

In a process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted 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 hydrocarbons than said feed. At least part of the hydrogen from said first effluent stream is then reacted with an oxygen-containing species, such as carbon dioxide, to produce a second effluent stream having a reduced hydrogen content compared with said first effluent stream.