Apparatus and method for reactive distillation for waste water treatment

A method for treating a waste water comprising hydrocarbons and oxygenates including an organic acid and, optionally, an initial alcohol, and a COD of up to 5 wt %, said method comprising the following steps:

• providing continuously said waste water to a distillation column comprising one or more catalytic sections, wherein when said waste water has an insufficient alcohol content, a supplemental alcohol is provided to the distillation column in a concentration sufficient to promote esterification of the organic acid, and wherein the one or more catalytic sections are provided with one or more acidic catalyst beds promoting esterification of the organic acid with the initial alcohol, the supplemental alcohol, or a combination thereof;
• operating said distillation column at a temperature allowing simultaneous esterification of the organic acid and separation of unreacted oxygenates at a pressure ranging from vacuum conditions up to maximally (syngas pressure) 40 bar;
• withdrawing from the distillation column a distillate product comprising esters produced by esterification of the organic acid in vapor and/or liquid form and a bottom product;
• wherein the bottom product has a COD in the range of up to 1000 ppmwt.