Agitated counter current flotation apparatus

An agitated countercurrent flotation apparatus for the separation of solids or liquids or both suspended as a separable mixture, in a fluid medium, comprising:

• a serial array of flotation cells each having upstanding walls and a floor, which cells are in serial fluid flow communication from the first inflow cell to a final outflow cell so that a separable mixture may flow sequentially from cell to cell through the apparatus, the first cell having fluid inlet means for introducing a feed of separable mixture containing floatable liquids or solids into the apparatus and the final cell having fluid outlet means for removing processed mixture from the apparatus, the serial fluid flow from the first cell to the final cell being provided by an opening in a lower portion of each common wall between adjacent cells;
• air inlet means positioned in a lower region of each cell for introducing and controlling compressed air into each cell;
• mechanical agitation means for each cell comprising an upright shaft having a plurality of impellers attached to it and spaced along its length with disks being affixed to the shaft between adjacent impellers, thereby defining a plurality of flotation zones vertically within each cell, the air inlet and mechanical agitation means coacting to provide a countercurrent fluid flow vertically within each cell;
• means for rotating and controlling the speed of the shaft;
• an overflow launder for each cell for accepting a liquids or solids laden froth generated in each cell;
• and
• fluid communication means extending from the overflow launder of each cell downstream from the first inflow cell to an inlet of the previous upstream cell thereby providing a means for recycling floated material so as to increase the efficiency of the materials separation being sought.