An　in-depth　understanding　of　the　liquid　flow　characteristics　in　rotating　packed　beds　(RPBs)　is　very　important　for　the　optimization　and　modelling　of　RPB　reactors.　However,　the　complex　and　dense　packing　makes　it　very　difficult　to　accurately　obtain　the　dynamic　and　detailed　characteristics　of　liquid　flow　in　RPBs　through　experimental　methods.　Therefore,　this　paper　carried　out　a　3D　gas–liquid　flow　CFD　simulation　of　an　RPB　with　structured　wire　mesh　packing　to　obtain　detailed　liquid　flow　information.　Detailed　macro　and　micro　characteristics　of　the　liquid　flow　in　the　packing　region　of　the　RPB　are　obtained.　The　dynamic　evolution　processes　of　droplets　are　observed　and　analysed.　A　new　flow　pattern　of　＇branch　flow＇　is　observed　in　the　packing　region.　In　addition,　two　typical　liquid　disintegration　modes　of　liquid　ligament-droplet　disintegration　and　liquid　bridge-droplet　disintegration　are　observed,　and　the　disintegration　mechanisms　are　analysed.　Finally,　the　effects　of　contact　angle　and　rotational　speed　on　the　characteristic　parameters　are　investigated,　and　the　interfacial　areas　between　different　phases　in　the　RPB　are　analysed.　In　both　hydrophilic　and　hydrophobic　packings,　the　wetted　packing　surface　area　is　always　less　than　the　gas–liquid　interfacial　area,　and　their　ratio　decreases　with　the　increases　of　contact　angle　and/or　rotational　speed,　but　increases　with　the　increase　of　the　liquid　viscosity.　©　2021　Elsevier　B.V.