A method for improving the reaction kinetics of, conserving reactants utilized in, and/or producing a more pure gaseous product stream of, a liquid-phase reaction, in the hydrochlorination of alkanols to produce the corresponding alkyl halide, which method comprises: Providing a vessel comprising a reaction zone and at least a first and a second absorption zone, wherein the first absorption zone is operatively proximal to the reaction zone and the second absorption zone is operatively distal to the reaction zone; Splitting a portion of a liquid generated by the reaction into at least a first reaction liquid stream and a second reaction liquid stream and lowering the temperature of the second reaction liquid stream, wherein the temperature of the first reaction liquid stream is not lowered or is lowered to a lesser extent; and Directing the first reaction liquid stream to the first absorption zone, and the second reaction liquid stream to the second absorption zone; and Causing at least a portion of the gaseous product stream and at least a portion of the first reaction liquid stream to come into contact within the first absorption zone and at least a portion of the gaseous product stream and at least a portion of the second reaction liquid stream to come into contact within the second absorption zone wherein the absorption zones are arranged serially with respect to gas flow; wherein the splitting is carried out by means of at least one conduit to connect the reaction zone with each of the absorption zones, wherein the at least one conduit is split to provide individual feeds to the absorption zones, or wherein separate conduits are provided for each absorption zone, and wherein at least a portion of any gaseous reactants or gaseous by-products within the gaseous reaction stream are absorbed into the liquid from the reaction. Providing a vessel comprising a reaction zone and at least a first and a second absorption zone, wherein the first absorption zone is operatively proximal to the reaction zone and the second absorption zone is operatively distal to the reaction zone; Splitting a portion of a liquid generated by the reaction into at least a first reaction liquid stream and a second reaction liquid stream and lowering the temperature of the second reaction liquid stream, wherein the temperature of the first reaction liquid stream is not lowered or is lowered to a lesser extent; and Directing the first reaction liquid stream to the first absorption zone, and the second reaction liquid stream to the second absorption zone; and Causing at least a portion of the gaseous product stream and at least a portion of the first reaction liquid stream to come into contact within the first absorption zone and at least a portion of the gaseous product stream and at least a portion of the second reaction liquid stream to come into contact within the second absorption zone wherein the absorption zones are arranged serially with respect to gas flow; wherein the splitting is carried out by means of at least one conduit to connect the reaction zone with each of the absorption zones, wherein the at least one conduit is split to provide individual feeds to the absorption zones, or wherein separate conduits are provided for each absorption zone, and wherein at least a portion of any gaseous reactants or gaseous by-products within the gaseous reaction stream are absorbed into the liquid from the reaction.