Average gas holdup and gas-to-liquid mass transfer in three-phase fluidized beds with non-Newtonian fluids were studied. The effects of liquid property, gas distributor type and magnetic field intensity on mass transfer coefficient and overall gas holdup were examined. The volumetric gas-to-liquid mass transfer coefficient was determined by fitting the oxygen concentration profile data across the bed to the axial dispersion model, The average gas holdup and mass transfer coefficient were all correlated with operating parameters including gas velocity and effective viscosity. Experimental results showed that a three-fold increase in mass transfer coefficient and a two-fold increase in average gas holdup were observed with properly designed liquid property and gas distributor. A modified process was developed to highly elevate the volumetric gas-to-liquid mass transfer rate. The bubble coalescing property of three-phase fluidized beds with small particles is eliminated, and its application to biotechnology and enzyme-catalyzed processes with high gas-to-liquid mass transfer rate could be achieved. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.