In this work, SO2 absorption in aqueous NaOH (gas side mass transfer resistance controlled system) and O-2 desorption from the water (liquid side mass transfer resistance controlled system) are experimentally evaluated for enhancement in the controlling side volumetric mass transfer coefficient using the novel split-packing and conventional single-block rotating packed bed (RPB) designs. In the split-packing RPB design, mass transfer characteristics for co-rotation and counter-rotation of adjacent rings are studied. For the SO2 absorption system, results show a significant reduction in the controlling mass transfer resistance for split-packing over single-block packing for large RPBs. However, the mass transfer coefficients for co- and counter-rotation are comparable. For the O-2 desorption system, at low rotation rates, the split-packing design gives higher mass transfer rates compared to the single-block packing. This difference disappears as the rotation rate is increased. Possible reasons for the experimental observations are speculated. The results suggest the split packing design to be more suitable for gas side mass transfer resistance controlled systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.