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The flotation of emulsified oil particles suspended in low concentrations in water has been studied. Two oils were used: a spontaneously emulsifying cutting oil or machining lubricant, and white spirit, a petroleum based turpentine substitute which was emulsified by intense agitation. The oil concentrations were up to 200 mg/L. To effect the separation, various cationic surfactants were used in the flotation cell which was operated batchwise with an external total recycle. It was found that the rate of flotation in water increased with addition of surfactant up to a limit. The presence of sea salt reduced the flotation rate. Simple mathematical models of the flotation cell are developed for predicting the flotation rate from first principles. The agreement between predicted and measured flotation rates Is quite good.