Abstract: A process for the separation of multicomponent systems containing intermediate boiling substances in separating separating columns with side discharge, the temperatures T.sub.u and T.sub.o above and below the side discharge are measured on the column or inside the column and the temperature difference T.sub.u -T.sub.o is used for controlling the side discharge. The control is carried out by constantly controlling one of the two temperatures T.sub.u or T.sub.o by the output of the evaporator or the discharge from the sump or the reflux or the removal of distillate or the reflux ratio.

Abstract: In a process for adaptive control of an internal-combustion engine or of another drive component of a motor vehicle, a set value/actual value comparison of a critical time interval with regard to an optimum operating behaviour is triggered upon each non-steady operating state. Set values and correction values for influencing a casual controlled variable with regard to the operating behaviour are assigned to selected operating points of the internal-combustion engine in the form of stored characteristic maps. If appropriate, the correction values are replaced by new correction values, determined according to a deviation. If the non-steady operating state occurs at a non-selected operating point, intermediate values for set value and correction value are interpolated.