Abstract: A process for isolating vinyl acetate from the gas mixture formed in the reaction of ethylene with acetic acid and oxygen in the gas phase over catalysts comprising palladium or palladium compounds, with recirculation of the acetic-acid solution obtained in the circulating gas scrubber to the first distillation column (predewatering column).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of saturating ethylene-containing gases with acetic acid before they are fed into a vinyl acetate reactor, in which the acetic acid recovered in the vinyl acetate process is introduced into a column having a countercurrent stripping section and a rectification section and ethylene-containing gas is supplied via the bottom, wherein the liquid taken off at the bottom of the column is divided into two substreams and one substream is pumped back into the column with maintenance of a minimum pumped circulation required for sufficient saturation with acetic acid.

Abstract: A process for working up crude, liquid vinyl acetate feed containing acetic acid, water and ethyl acetate and optionally smaller amounts of other impurities by distillation, wherein there is introduced into the distillation column, above the feed point of the crude, liquid vinyl acetate, 0.1 to 5% by weight of water, based on the crude, liquid vinyl acetate feed, and 0.1 to 60% by weight of acetic acid, based on the crude, liquid vinyl acetate feed.

Abstract: In a device (1) for varying the opening and closing times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, an undesired start rattling occurring during the starting operation of the internal combustion engine due to an abutment of an adjusting piston (7) against its end position is to be prevented. For this purpose, the invention provides a coupling means (21) which connects a drive unit (4) and a driven unit (11) during the starting operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Heterogeneous, solvent- and plasticizer-free polyvinyl ester dispersions which are stabilized by protective colloids and which have a minimum filming temperature of below 10.degree. C. are disclosed. These dispersions are made of a mixture of(a) a homopolymer or copolymer A having a glass transition temperature of above 20.degree. C., whereby homopolymer or copolymer A includes(i) from 85 to 100% by weight of at least one vinyl ester of carboxylic acids having 1 to 18 carbon atoms;(ii) from 0 to 5% by weight of at least one .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid;(iii) from 0 to 5% by weight of at least one mono-olefinically unsaturated compound (a3) having at least one amino or amido group, and(iv) from 0 to 5% by weight of at least one polyethylenically unsaturated monomer, and(b) a copolymer B having a glass transition temperature of below 20.degree. C.

Abstract: Dispersion powders including (a) a polymer of vinyl ester, vinyl ester/ethylene, (meth)acrylate or styrene/acrylate homo- and copolymers, (b) 1 to 25% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer, of a protective colloid, (c) 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer, of at least one saturated carboxylic acid ester of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.(2n+1) COOC.sub.m H.sub.(2m+1) where n=5 to 22 and m=1 to 8, and (d) 0 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer, of anticaking agent, are useful, for example, as modifying agents in mortar and concrete for increasing the flexural tensile strength, compressive strength, and/or adhesive strength thereof.

Abstract: A copolymer in dispersion or redispersible powder form which is stabilized by a protective colloid and has a glass transition temperature of -40.degree. to 10.degree. C. and an ethylene content of at least 30% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers, with a heterogeneous build-up of the copolymer particles, including a first polymer phase, which includes vinyl acetate and >40% by weight of ethylene, based on the total amount of monomers in this phase, and a last copolymer phase, which includes vinyl acetate and 5 to 40% by weight of ethylene, based on the total amount of monomers in this phase, is suitable, for example, as a binder in building materials.