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[Display omitted] • 3D multiphase CFD model of an RPB with wire mesh packing is developed. • Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the liquid flow are analysed. • Dynamic evolution processes of liquid droplet in the packing region are analysed. • The interfacial areas between different phases in the RPB are analysed. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]