High shear system for the production of chlorobenzene

A system for the production of chlorobenzene, the system comprising:

• a high shear device configured to produce a dispersion comprising chlorine gas bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 5 μm in liquid benzene;
• a pump positioned upstream of the high shear device and configured to provide an inlet stream comprising chlorine gas and liquid benzene thereto;
• a reactor from which a reactor product comprising chlorobenzene, byproduct hydrochloric acid, and unreacted benzene is removed, wherein the reactor is fluidly connected to an outlet of the high shear device such that the dispersion may be introduced thereto;
• and
• a treatment vessel fluidly connected with the reactor, whereby the reactor product may be introduced thereto, the treatment vessel configured to remove hydrochloric acid from the reactor product via contact thereof with a water stream, thus providing an aqueous hydrochloric acid stream, and a treatment vessel product comprising chlorobenzene and unreacted benzene.