Abstract: A process is described for reducing the residual monomer content in a liquid solution, mixture, melt, suspension or dispersion of a polymer by postpolymerization with addition of a redox initiator system at a reaction temperature appropriate to it and with an extremely short mixing time of the liquid system in the production reactor by metering—gradually, in portions or continuously—at least one of the redox initiator components required to initiate polymerization of the residual monomers over a period (metering time) which is from about 10 to 250 times the mixing time of the liquid system in said reactor.

Abstract: At least one single-stage or multistage stirrer which produces not only a tangential flow component but also an axial flow field is used in a stirred-vessel reactor in connection with the preparation of polymers by liquid phase polymerization.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing and subsequently cooling dispersions or liquids comprisinga) passing steam through the dispersion or liquid to be cooled and held in a vessel (1), said dispersion or liquid being caused to foam up as a result,b) discharging the foam from the top section of the vessel via a nozzle (5) into an evacuated separation vessel (4), the foam being broken in the process,c) condensing the water vapor formed from the foam in a heat exchanger (8) and removing volatile organic components at the same time, andd) returning the broken foam to the vessel (1),in which the steps a) to d) are performed until the dispersion or liquid has been deodorized to the desired extent, wherein, after completion of the deodorization (in accordance with steps a) to d)), the hot dispersion or liquid is discharged from the bottom section of the vessel (1) through the nozzle (5) into the evacuated separation vessel (4), so that the dispersion or the liquid is cooled, the nozzle (5) and the evacuated separation vessel (4