Process for the production of furfural

A process comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a reactor comprising a reactive distillation column comprising an upper, rectifying section;
• a lower, stripping section;
• and a reboiler, wherein the stripping section or the reboiler is a reaction zone containing a solid acid catalyst,
• (b) continuously feeding a feedstock solution comprising C5 sugar, C6 sugar or a mixture thereof to the column at a location between the rectifying section and the stripping section, allowing the solution to flow into the reaction zone into contact with the solid acid catalyst, thereby forming a reaction mixture, wherein
• (i) the temperature of the reaction mixture is between about 90° C. and about 250° C.
• (ii) the reaction mixture is held at a pressure between atmospheric pressure and 3.87 MPa, and
• (iii) the sugar solution and catalyst are in contact for a time sufficient to produce water and furfural
• (c) drawing off a mixture of furfural and water at the top of the column
• (d) collecting water, unreacted sugars, and nonvolatile byproducts in the reboiler;
• (e) removing nonvolatile byproducts from the reboiler;
• and
• (f) removing the water and unreacted sugars from the reboiler for further use or disposal.