Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purifying working-up of liquid reaction media and/or wash media obtained during preparation of cellulose ethers, which are insoluble in hot water, from cellulose, an alkali metal hydroxide and at least one etherifying agent in a medium containing water and if appropriate at least one organic solvent, by ultrafiltration of the media into a permeate and concentrate, which comprises carrying out the ultrafiltration of the reaction media and/or wash media at a temperature at or above the flocculation temperature of the cellulose ethers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the purification treatment of liquid reaction and/or washing media obtained in the preparation of cellulose ethers which comprises distilling and subsequently ultrafiltering the media. In the distilling step, the low-boiling organic by-products of the reaction, the residual, non-reacted, low-boiling organic reaction components and/or the optionally used organic solvents are separated in the form of a distillate. The aqueous distillation residue, which particularly comprises salts, a cellulose constituent and possibly medium and/or high-boiling organic by-products of the reaction and/or non-reacted organic reaction components, is thereafter subjected to ultrafiltration. Ultrafiltration results in a permeate, in which the COD values are, for example, reduced by about 20% by weight.