Method for deinking recycled paper using a low flow elongated open top flotation vessel

A method for producing substantially ink-free pulp from recycle printed paper comprising first pulping the recycle paper in a hydrapulper with at least water and an agglomerating agent thereby producing a pulp. Ink particle agglomerates in the pulp are then removed by screening the pulp through at least one screen and by cleaning the pulp in a cyclone cleaner. Pulp together with small ink particles that escape the prior separation stages is then conducted from the cyclone cleaner through a standpipe at a consistency of about or less than 1% where particles of ink associate with small air bubbles and are elevated to the surface of the pulp where they accumulate as a froth which may be removed by overflowing. The process substantially reduces the amount of ink particles in recycled pulp as compared with conventional agglomeration deinking methods without the expense and complexity of traditional flotation cells, and also greatly reduces the amount of fiber loss associated with ink particle separation using conventional flotation methods.