Foam fractionation of poly(vinyl alcohol) with external foamate reflux was carried out with a perforated plate foam column. The insertion of perforated plates significantly decreased the liquid distributed in the foam. Consequently, the enrichment factor in the perforated plate column was twice as much as that in the normal foam column. The maximum enrichment factor of about 25 and separation factor of about 160 were obtained at an aeration rate of 300 cm(3)/min and initial PVA concentration of 1000 g/m(3). The insertion of perforated plates was concluded to be effective for enrichment of surface active material through foam fractionation with external foamate reflux.