The feasibility of applying a novel rotating packed bed to the ozone oxidation process is investigated. Ozone oxidation experiments were conducted to examine how various operating variables affect the decolorization of dyes in aqueous solutions system. Rotor speeds ranged from 380 to 1748rpm, providing 10similar to202 equivalent gravitational force. Experimental results indicate that the centrifugal force positively affects the decolorization efficiency. Furthermore, it is shown that owing to its low ozone mass transfer resistance, a rotating packed bed can be used to increase the efficiency of the ozone oxidation process. Our results further demonstrate that the decolorization efficiency increases with either an decreasing initial dye concentration or liquid flow rate. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.