Abstract: A method of treatment of an aqueous effluent stream obtained during production of furfural is disclosed. The aqueous effluent stream containing organic solvents, furfural, and water is subjected to azeotropic distillation to obtain a distillate stream and a treated effluent stream having lower BOD and COD values which can be further reduced by biomethanation.

Abstract: A process for converting sugars to esters of levulinic acid comprises mixing alcohol and glycerol with a feed stock comprising one or more sugars to create a reaction mixture of alcohol, glycerol and the feedstock is disclosed. The reaction mixture is contacted with an acid catalyst. The contact between the acid catalyst and the reaction mixture is maintained at an effective temperature and pressure for a specific time period so as to cause a desired reaction to result in a product stream. The product stream is separated into components by virtue of the difference in their boiling points, miscibility or specific gravity. Esters of levulinic acid, glycerol, alcohol and additional by-products are recovered from the product stream.