Axial mixing of the liquid phase in turbulent bed contactor (TBC) is studied through residence time distribution (RTD) experiments over a large range of variables such as flow rate of gas and liquid phases, static bed heights, diameter and density of particles and number of stages in presence of downcomer using air water system. Since all the liquid exits only through the downcomer, it enables the correct estimation of exit concentration of the tracer. The experimental RTD curves are satisfactorily compared with the axial dispersion model. The Peclet numbers evaluated by axial dispersion model and the Peclet numbers reported in the literature are used to propose a unified correlation in terms of operating and geometric parameters. Correlation is also developed for predicting the axial dispersion coefficient. It was observed in the present study that almost plug flow conditions can be achieved in multistage TBC. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.