This work investigates the feasibility of applying the cross-flow rotating packed bed (RPB) to the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) by absorption from gaseous streams. Monoethanolamine (MEA) aqueous solution was used as the model absorbent. Also, other absorbents such as the NaOH and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) aqueous solutions were compared with the MEA aqueous solution. The CO2 removal efficiency was observed as functions of rotor speed, gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, MEA concentration, and CO2 concentration. Experimental results indicated that the rotor speed positively affects the CO2 removal efficiency. Our results further demonstrated that the CO2 removal efficiency increased with the liquid flow rate and the MEA concentration; however, decreased with the gas flow rate and the CO2 concentration. Additionally, the CO2 removal efficiency for the MEA aqueous solution was superior to that for the NaOH and AMP aqueous solutions. Based on the performance comparison with the conventional packed bed and the countercurrent-flow RPB, the cross-flow RPB is an effective absorber for CO2 absorption process. (C) 2010 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.