The invention provides processes for purification of streams containing carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides without using the amount of high-cost, corrosion resistant alloy required for a distillation column. The invention provides methods in which streams containing carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides are subjected to a hydrolysis process by combining them with a stoichiometric excess of water and optionally an added hydrolysis catalyst. The resulting hydrolyzed stream is subsequently separated to produce a stream containing carboxylic acid and water and a carboxylic acid product stream comprising carboxylic acid.
