Recirculating column flotation apparatus

A froth flotation system, the system comprising a vertically oriented column divided into an upper froth zone and a lower separation zone, the column including a concentrate collector disposed towards the top of the column, means for withdrawing tailings from the lower portion of the column, means for supplying wash water downwardly into the column from the top of the column, at least one bubble reactor for mixing a slurry with a gas flowably communicating with the separation zone, means for directing the output from the at least one bubble reactor into the column upwardly within the separation zone of the column, a source of slurry and means for flowably communicating the source of slurry with the at least one bubble reactor, a source of gas and means for flowably communicating the source of gas with the at least one bubble reactor, and recycling means for withdrawing a portion of the contents of the column from the lower portion of the column and recycling same to the at least one bubble reactor said column defines a vertical axis and includes a plurality of vertically extending and radially oriented partitions extending from the top of the column and down through the column, said partitions defining a plurality of longitudinal separation chambers disposed between the partitions within the column said means for directing the output from the at least one bubble reactor into the column comprises means for directing the output upwardly inside of each of longitudinal separation chambers.