| abstract |
Processes for catalytically converting oxygenates to hydrocarbon products having an increased C 6 -C 8 aromatics content therein. A first mixture comprising ≧10.0 wt. % of at least one oxygenate, based on the weight of the first mixture, contacts a catalyst in a fluidized bed reactor to produce a product stream including water, one or more hydrocarbons comprising ≧30.0 wt. % of aromatics, based on the weight of the hydrocarbons in the product stream, hydrogen, and one or more oxygenates. The catalyst comprises at least one molecular sieve, a binder, and at least one element selected from Groups 2-14 of the Periodic Table. At least one water-rich stream, at least one aromatic-rich hydrocarbon stream, and at least one aromatic-depleted hydrocarbon stream are separated from the product stream, and at least a portion of one of the aromatic-rich hydrocarbon stream or the aromatic-depleted hydrocarbon stream is recycled back to the reactor. |