Abstract: In a process for the disposal of low, mediun, and high-boiling secondary components formed during the preparation of (meth)acrylic acid the gaseous low-boiling secondary components are burned, whilst low-boiling and medium-boiling secondary components that are dissolved in water optionally together with high-boiling secondary components treated with solvent are added.

Abstract: In a process for the separation by rectification of unsaturated carboxylic acids from solvents in which the acids were absorbed after the synthesis reaction, the rectification is briefly interrupted and the rectification column is flushed with a basic solution. The interruption is carried out at regular time intervals. The basic solution used is an aqueous solution of alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, preferably NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH).sub.2 or their anhydrous oxides; alkaline polar organic solvents as amines or amides can be used, too.

Abstract: Methanol is prepared by catalytic conversion of a synthesis gas mixture, containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and/or water, at from 200.degree. to 320.degree. C. and under from 30 to 300 bar in adiabatic and/or isothermal reactions in the presence of a catalyst containing copper and zinc, by a process in which the fresh catalyst is reduced with a hydrogen-containing gas before the start-up of the process, and then the synthesis is started under conventional conditions and is continued until the formation of methanol in the reaction zone has declined substantially, after which the reaction is interrupted and the catalyst is regenerated.