Patent Publication Number: US-2012024769-A1

Title: Method for collecting matter with a matter collection unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority to (1) PCT/US2011/040804 filed on Jun. 17, 2011 naming inventors Youngs, Cook and Rogers claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61/355,990 and 61/355,969 filed on Jun. 17, 2010 naming inventors Youngs and Cook, and (2) PCT/US2011/040808 filed on Jun. 17, 2011 naming inventors Youngs, Cook and Rogers claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61/355,990 and 61/355,969 filed on Jun. 17, 2010 naming inventors Youngs and Cook; the contents of all aforementioned Applications are incorporated by reference as if fully reproduced below. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED R &amp; D 
     The present invention was made with government support under DE-AR0000037 awarded by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention under 35 U.S.C. §200 et seq. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
     Collecting matter in a medium, e.g. algae in water, is an expensive process which usually damages the matter structurally or contaminates the matter so as to make it less usable for downstream commercial products, e.g. biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in the following: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,770; (2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,774; (3) US 2010/0105125; (4) US 2010/0210003; (5) US 2011/0016773; (6) US 2009/0203115; (7) US 2010/0144017; (8) US 2010/0267122; (9) US 2011/0065165; (10) EP 942,646; (11) WO 2011038413; (12) WO 9851627; (13) US 20100105125; (14) WO 2010151887; (15) U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,528; (16) U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,039; (17) U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,958; (18) U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,499; (19) U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,770; (20) U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,812; (21) The Basics of Oil Spill Cleanup by Mery Fingas, ISBN 9781566705370, CRC Press, Sept. 28, 2000; (22) WO 9501308; (23) U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,426; (24) JP 11333211; (25) WO 2009119396; (26) U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,900; (27) U.S. Pat. No. 7,635,587; (28) EP 1,725,314; (29) US 2010/0311157; (30) WO 2009056899; and, (31) WO 2011098076. The listing of the preceding documents is not an admission of the documents either as prior art against the present invention or as analogous art. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure and/or prior invention. 
     Each of the listed documents, and the disclosed methods and apparatuses therein, suffers from at least one of the following disadvantages: (1) they require the use of expensive chemicals; (2) they require the use of chemicals which contaminate collected matter; (3) they require the use of high-energy machines; (4) they require the use of expensive machines; (5) they compromise the collected matter&#39;s structural and/or chemical integrity; (6) they require constant supervision by an operator; (7) they require continued replacement of collection and/or concentration parts; (8) they have a high initial capital cost barrier, and thus a disincentive, for market entry; (9) they raise the cost of downstream products and processes; (10) they are not modular bolt on options for any artificial or natural growth systems; (11) they are dependent on the size of the growth system; (12) they are limited by algal growth rates; (13) they have inefficient material removal methods; (14) they do not capture loosely associated matter; (15) they are invasive of a growth system and can contaminate axenic growth systems; and, (16) they block light to the growth system and inhibit algal development. Examples of methods and apparatuses which suffer from these disadvantages comprise centrifuges, hollow fiber filters, cross flow filters, tangential flow filters, bubblers, flocculaters, porous filters and film growers. 
     Extracting a suspended solid from a liquid medium using the known prior art methods and apparatuses is an expensive process that makes an entire industry of collection and concentration economically and environmentally unsound. Discovering a low cost and environmentally friendly solution to collecting and/or concentrating, e.g., algae in water could allow entire industries that derive, inter alia, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics from harvested algae to become economically viable, and leaders of those industries can begin to fuel, feed and heal a twenty first century population. A device as described in the following detailed description provides advantages over the known attempts. 
     SUMMARY  
     The present invention is directed to a method, apparatus and system that satisfies a need for a modular process for collecting matter in a liquid medium that is low capital and operational cost, contaminant free and non-damaging. This and other unmet advantages are provided by the invention as described and shown in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A better understanding of the disclosed embodiments will be obtained from a reading of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of matter collection Unit comprising an inlet tube, a chamber, a cartridge, a base, an outlet tube and an extractor; 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of material comprising cut fibers and a first surface; 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of material comprising looped fibers and a first surface; 
         FIG. 4  is perspective view of material comprising cut fibers, a second surface and a reinforcing surface; 
         FIG. 5  is perspective view of material comprising looped fibers, second surface, and reinforcing surface; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a view of cut fibers; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a view of cut fibers; 
         FIG. 6   c  is a view of cut fibers and a first surface; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a zoom view of material comprising cut fibers, looped fibers and a first surface; 
         FIG. 7   b  is a zoom view of material comprising looped fibers, a second surface and a reinforcement fiber; 
         FIG. 7   c  is a zoom view of material comprising looped fibers, a second surface, a first surface and a reinforcement fiber; 
         FIG. 7   d  is a zoom view of material comprising looped fibers, a second surface, a first surface and a reinforcement fiber; 
         FIG. 8   a  is a view of cut fibers; 
         FIG. 8   b  is a view of cut fibers and a first surface; 
         FIG. 8   c  is a view of cut fibers and a first surface; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of geometric shapes which can define a cross section of material; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of geometric shapes which can define a cross section of a cartridge formed from planar material; 
         FIG. 11   a  is a view of algae attached to a fiber; 
         FIG. 11   b  is a view of oil among fibers; 
         FIG. 11   c  is a view of algae attached to a fiber; 
         FIG. 11   d  is a view of algae attached to a fiber; 
         FIG. 11   e  is a view of algae attached to a fiber; 
         FIG. 11   f  is a view of algae attached to a fiber; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a matter collection Unit comprising an inlet port, a chamber, a cartridge and an outlet port; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view of a matter collection Unit comprising an inlet port, a chamber, a cartridge and an outlet port; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of a matter collection Unit comprising an inlet tube, an inlet valve, an inlet port, a chamber, a cartridge, a screen, a base, an outlet port, an outlet tube, an outlet valve, a pressure plate, a connection member and an action plate; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of a matter collection Unit comprising a chamber, a screen, a base and an outlet port; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view of a matter collection Unit comprising an inlet tube, an inlet valve, an inlet port, a chamber, a cartridge, a duct, a bubbler, bubbles, flow direction, a screen, a base, an outlet port, an outlet tube and an outlet valve; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of a matter collection Unit comprising a chamber, a duct, a bubbler, a screen, a base, an outlet port and an outlet tube; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view of a matter collection Unit comprising an inlet tube, an inlet valve, an inlet port, a chamber, a cartridge, a screen, a base, an outlet port, an outlet tube, an outlet valve, a pressure plate, a connection member, an action plate, a first position, a second position and a medium level; and, 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a matter collection Unit adapted to a medium body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Prior to describing the various embodiments, the following definitions are provided and should be used unless otherwise indicated. 
     DEFINITIONS  
     In describing the disclosed subject matter, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below. 
     “Comprising” is an open ended transition word that, when preceding a list or description, connotes that the following list or description does not fully list or describe all possibilities; therefore, the list or description can contain additional elements not listed or described. 
     “Consisting” is a close ended transition word that when preceding a list or description the word connotes that the following list or description is complete. 
     A “medium” is any environment which is predominantly liquid wherein solids and/or chemicals may exist in the medium in suspension, dispersion or solution. Medium refers to aqueous and non-aqueous mediums equally. 
     An “aqueous medium” is a medium which is predominantly comprised of liquid water, and the water is at least one selected from the group comprised of fresh water, brackish water, salt water, marine water, briny water, commercial waste water, residential waste water and agricultural waste water. A “non-aqueous medium” is predominantly comprised of a non-water liquid, such as oil. A medium can be a combination of aqueous and non-aqueous mediums, i.e. it is difficult to tell what is predominant or localized variations in concentration would lead to differing conclusions. Examples of bodies of mediums, which can be natural or engineered, include rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, oceans, bays, fjords, retaining ponds, settling ponds, raceways, holding tanks, settling tank, photo bio reactors. 
     “Matter” is a solid and/or chemical suspended, dispersed or dissolved in a medium and at least one selected from the group comprised of algae, oil, bacteria, silt, sand, ethane, hexanol, nitrates, phosphates, benzene, lead, mercury, cadmium, iron, aluminum and arsenic. 
     “Collection” is a capture of matter on a material, as described below. Collection also includes any matter which is captured by, between or proximate to matter already captured by the material matter can form multiple layers on the material surface, and any subsequent matter layers are considered to be collected though it may not be touching or interlocked with, or in physical or bonded contact with the material. Similar words which are intended to invoke variations of this definition comprise collects, collecting, collected and to collect. 
     “Collected matter” is any matter that is collected by, between or proximate to a material. 
     “Material” is any three dimensional object, consistent with its description below, capable of collecting matter in a medium. “Material” is short for “material for collecting matter” in that it is understood to be a material for collecting matter, unless indicated otherwise. 
     A “chamber” is any three dimensional object capable of retaining a liquid medium substantially without unintended/unwanted leakage and wherein the chamber can be a single piece construction or a construction of several pieces adapted to fit together. A chamber can be sealed at all surfaces, except for at least one port, or a chamber can be open at one or more surfaces, such as a bucket is open on a top or a tube is open at two ends. Such openings would constitute ports for purposes of this specification. Example shapes of a chamber comprise a barrel, box, trough, tube, etc. 
     A “duct” is any three dimensional object capable of permitting a flow of medium through itself while maintaining at least a partial physical barrier within a given space. 
     A “valve” is any device for halting or controlling the flow of medium a chamber, duct, tube, inlet or outlet. The valve can open, close or partially obstruct the passageways, and the valves can be manually, mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, solenoid or motor operated. Examples of acceptable valves comprise the following: ball valve; butterfly valve; ceramic disc valve; choke valve; diaphragm valve; gate valve; stainless steel gate valve; globe valve; knife valve; needle valve; pinch valve; piston valve; plug valve; poppet valve; spool valve; thermal expansion valve; and sampling valve. 
     An “extractor” is any device, consistent with its description below, that removes collected matter from a material. The extractor can be manually, mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, solenoid, electro-mechanically or motor operated. An extractor is at least one selected from the group comprising a plunger, a piston, a screen, an orifice, a belt roller, a nested roller, a funnel, a vacuum, a scraper, an electric charge, an air knife, a spinner, a sonicator, a vibrator, a human hand, a heater, a steamer and a low-volume high pressure sprayer. Similar words which are intended to invoke variations of this definition comprise extraction, extracting, to extract and extracts. 
     “Extracted matter” is any matter that is formerly collected matter due to an extractor or extraction process. The extracted matter will be a combination of formerly suspended and/or dissolved matter and the medium in which the matter was suspended and/or dissolved. 
     A “container” is any device which is capable of retaining/storing, for any amount of time, collected matter while segregating the collected matter from a medium. Examples of containers are barrels, boxes, troughs, hoppers, tubes, pipes, trays, buckets and bladders. The collected matter can flow to the container in any number of ways, including by gravity, by pump, by conveyor, or by another container such as a pipe or bucket, or by operating valves or solenoids. 
     A “dwell time” or a “dwell period” is a duration that a medium is permitted to reside within and/or flow through a chamber. Collection occurs during the dwell period; however, the material is not necessarily collecting continuously or at a same rate during the dwell period. 
     “Algae” is plural for any organism with chlorophyll and, in multicellular algae, a thallus not differentiated into roots, stems and leaves, and encompasses prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms that are photoautotrophic or facultative heterotrophs. The term “algae” includes macroalgae (such as seaweed) and microalgae. For certain embodiments of the disclosure, algae that are not macroalgae are preferred. The term algae used interchangeably herein, refers to any microscopic algae, phytoplankton, photoautotrophic or facultative heterotroph protozoa, photoautotrophic or facultative heterotrophic prokaryotes, and cyanobacteria (commonly referred to as blue-green algae and formerly classified as Cyanophyceae). The use of the term “algal” also relates to microalgae and thus encompasses the meaning of “microalgal.” The term “algal composition” refers to any composition that comprises algae, and is not limited to the body of water or the culture in which the algae are cultivated. An algal composition can be an algal culture, a concentrated algal culture, or a dewatered mass of algae, and can be in a liquid, semi-solid, or solid form. A non-liquid algal composition can be described in terms of moisture level or percentage weight of the solids. An “algal culture” is an algal composition that comprises live algae. 
     The algae of the disclosure can be naturally occurring species, a selected strain, a genetically manipulated strain, a transgenic strain, or a synthetic alga. Algae from tropical, subtropical, temperate, polar or other climatic regions can be used in the disclosure. Endemic or indigenous algal species are generally preferred over introduced species where an open culturing system is used. Algae, including microalgae, inhabit all types of aquatic environments, including but not limited to freshwater (less than about 0.5 parts per thousand (ppt) salts), brackish (about 0.5 to about 31 ppt salts), marine (about 31 to about 38 ppt salts), and briny (greater than about 38 ppt salts). Any of such aquatic environments, freshwater species, marine species, and/or species that thrive in varying and/or intermediate salinities or nutrient levels, can be used in the embodiments of the disclosure. 
     In certain embodiments, the algal composition of the disclosure comprises green algae from one or more of the following taxonomic classes: Micromonadophyceae, Charophyceae, Ulvophyceae and Chlorophyceae. Non-limiting examples include species of  Borodinella, Chlorella  (e.g.,  C. ellipsoidea ),  Chlamydomonas, Dunaliella  (e.g.,  D. salina, D. bardawil ),  Franceia, Haematococcus, Oocystis  (e.g.,  O. parva, O. pustilla ),  Scenedesmus, Stichococcus, Ankistrodesmus  (e.g.,  A. falcatus ),  Chlorococcum, Monoraphidium, Nannochloris  and  Botryococcus  (e.g.,  B. braunii ). In certain embodiments, the algal composition of the disclosure comprises golden-brown algae from one or more of the following taxonomic classes: Chrysophyceae and Synurophyceae. Non-limiting examples include  Boekelovia  species (e.g.  B. hooglandii ) and  Ochromonas  species. In certain embodiments, the algal composition in the disclosure comprises freshwater, brackish, or marine diatoms from one or more of the following taxonomic classes: Bacillariophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae, and Fragilariophyceae. The diatoms can be photoautotrophic or auxotrophic. Non-limiting examples include  Achnanthes  (e.g., .4.  orientalis ),  Amphora  (e.g.,  Acoffeiformis  strains,  A. delicatissima ), Amphiprora (e.g., A. hyaline), Amphipleura, Chaetoceros (e.g., C. muelleri, C. gracilis),  Caloneis, Camphylodiscus, Cyclotella  (e.g.,  C. cryptica, C. meneghiniana ),  Cricosphaera, Cymbella, Diploneis, Entomoneis, Fragilaria, Hantschia, Gyrosigma, Melosira, Navicula  (e.g.,  N. acceptata, N. biskanterae, N. pseudotenelloides, N. saprophila ),  Nitzschia  (e.g.,  N. dissipata, N. communis, N. inconspicua, N. pusilla strains, N. microcephala, N. intermedia, N. hantzschiana, N. alexandrina, N. quadrangula ),  Phaeodactylum  (e.g.,  P. tricornutum ),  Pleurosigma, Pleurochrysis  (e.g.,  P. carterae, P. dentata ),  Selenastrum, Surirella  and  Thalassiosira  (e.g.,  T. weissflogii ). In certain embodiments, the algal composition of the disclosure comprises one or more algae from the following groups:  Coelastrum, Chlorosarcina, Micractinium, Porphyridium, Nostoc, Closterium, Elakatothrix, Cyanosarcina, Trachelamonas, Kirchneriella, Carteria, Crytomonas, Chlamydamonas, Planktothrix, Anabaena, Hymenomonas, lsochrysis, Pavlova, Monodus, MonaIlanthus, Platymonas, Pyramimonas, Stephanodiscus, Chroococcus, Staurastrum, Netrium,  and  Tetraselmis, Galdieria  and  Cyanidium,  and any unknown algae having similar genus, family, or orders. In certain embodiments, the algal composition of the disclosure comprises one or more from the following groups:  Porphyridium cruentum, Spirulina platensis, Cyclotella nana, Dunaliella salina, Dunaliella bardawil, Muriellopsis  spp.,  Chlorella fusca, Chlorella zofingiensis, Chlorella  spp.,  Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorococcum citriforme, Neospongiococcum gelatinosum, lsochrysis galbana, Chlorella stigmataphora, Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Chlamydomonas mexicana, Scenedesmus obliquus, Scenedesmus braziliensis, Scenedesmus dimorphus, Stichococcus bacillaris, Anabaena flosaquae, Porphyridium aerugineum, Fragilaria sublinearis, Skeletonema costatum, Pavlova gyrens, Monochrysis lutheri, Coccolithus huxleyi, Nitzschia palea, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Prymnesium paruum,  and the like. In certain embodiments, the algal composition of the disclosure comprises one or more from the following groups:  N. gaditana, N. granulate, N. limnetica, N. oceanica, N. oculata, N. salina.  Preferred species of algae comprise  Scenedesmus dimorphus, Nanochloropsis, Chlorella  and diatoms. 
     Overview 
     A method for collecting matter using a matter collection Unit, as described below, provides a low energy, low cost and nearly zero pollutant process for extracting suspended and/or dissolved matter in a medium. The method collects the matter on a material when the medium is permitted to flow past the material which is disposed within a chamber, and the medium, with less suspended matter, can flow back to a medium body to permit, e.g., further growth and/or higher collection efficiency. The process can operate continuously alongside, e.g. a growth system, to harvest suspended matter until the matter is ready for extraction. Post extraction collected matter, e.g., can be converted into valuable commercial products or the process can be used to remediate a medium, such that the valuable product is a substantially cleaner medium. If the extracted matter is algae, then it can be processed into end user commercial products such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biofuels, food products, crop fertilizer, animal feed and polymers. If the extracted matter is oil or bitumen, then it can be recovered at oil spills or in tar sands. If the medium is infected with a harmful algae bloom of cyanobacteria, then the system could not only harvest the algae for processing but also cut off a food source of the algae by additionally extracting suspended silt. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example embodiment of a matter collection Unit, hereinafter referred to as a Unit, and the Unit is comprised of inlet tube  132 , inlet valve  133 , chamber  123 , cartridge  122 , screen  115 , base  126 , outlet tube  135 , outlet valve  136  and extractor  111 . A medium flows into the Unit through inlet tube  132 , through open inlet valve  133  and into chamber  123  where suspended matter in the medium collects on cartridge  122 . The medium flows out of the Unit via outlet tube  135  and through open outlet valve  136 . Medium flowing into the Unit has a higher concentration in weight per unit volume of suspended matter than the medium flowing out of the Unit. The differential is caused by suspended matter collecting on cartridge  122  which is formed from a material for collecting matter, as described below. After the medium flow ceases, an optional extractor  111 , an assembly discussed further below, depresses to compress cartridge  122  and release collected matter. Screen  115  prevents cartridge  122  from reabsorbing high matter concentrate medium. The collected matter is then harvested from the Unit and subsequently used for commercial purposes. The Unit described in this paragraph contains optional features which are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, because the Unit, as one potential embodiment of a broader invention, is only offered to give context to the foregoing description. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     Material 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a material for collecting matter is comprised of at least a first surface  202  or  302  and a fiber. The fiber can be cut fiber  204  which is bound to the first surface  303 , or the fiber can be a looped fiber which is bound to the first surface  302 . The material can contain a combination of cut fibers  204  and looped fibers  305  which are bound to a common surface such as first surface  202  or  302 . Cut fiber  204  and/or looped fiber  305  can be composed of a single filament or multiple filaments spun, twisted, braided or bunched to form substantially a single fiber such as a tuft, yarn, cord or rope. 
     Cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  ranges in length from 0.25″ to 12″ and more. More preferably, cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is between 0.5″ and 3″, and an example preferred length of cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is 1″. Spacing between a base of any two cut fibers  204  can range from 0.01″ to 7″ and more. More preferably, the spacing is 0.025″ to 1″, and an example preferred spacing distance of cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is 0.05″. If cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is a single filament, then the diameter of cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  can range from 0.0001 to 0.10″ and more, and an example of a preferred filament diameter of cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is 0.0004″. If cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is multifilament, then the diameter of that cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is 0.005″ to 2″ and more, and an example of a preferred multifilament diameter of cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is 0.15″. It should be noted that even if a multifilament cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is composed of the same number and size individual filaments, cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  can have different diameters due to its method of processing, e.g., spinning, twisting or bunching. A bunched multifilament cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  would, everything else being equal, likely have more interstitial voids between fibers than twisted and maybe even more than spun and maybe even more than braided. 
     Cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is constructed from at least one substance selected from the group comprising polystyrene, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl, rayon, cotton, hemp, wool, silk, polyolefins, acrylic, nylon, flax, jute, glass, pina, coir, straw, bamboo, velvet, felt, lyocell, spandex, Kevlar, polyurethane, olefin, polyactide and carbon fibre, or any recycled products thereof, and cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305 , if multifilament, can be constructed from a blend of any of those listed. An example of preferable substances is nylon and polyester. If cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is a natural fiber, then it can be manufactured in any process known in the art, such as by opening, carding, drawing, roving, spinning and/or twisting. If cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  is made from synthetic fibers, then it can be manufactured in any process known in the art, such as by extruding or spinning. 
     Cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  can be treated or processed to make it more or less oleophilic, oleophobic, hydrophilic and hydrophobic such as by adding or removing polymers known in the art which have the named properties. Examples of materials which are oleophilic comprise polypropylene, polyester, polyvinycholoride, steel or aluminum. Furthermore, materials with a combination of the listed properties is particularly advantageous if the material is preferential such as if a material is both oleophilic and hydrophilic but more oleophilic than hydrophilic. For example, integrating polyester may increase the oleophilic and hydrophilic nature of cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305 , but the cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  will be preferentially oleophilic. Although not intended to be limiting, if polyester material is with in an oil and water medium, then oil will collect preferentially over water; therefore, oil can be removed from the water and stored without removing the water from its environment. This advantage increases recovery rate of, e.g., an oil spill in aqueous medium. Furthermore, this permits the use of the material for tar sand or bitumen recovery after, e.g., water or steam is used to bring oil to the earth&#39;s surface. An oleophobic material, such as nylon or cotton, can be used to collect matter in a non-aqueous medium, such as oil, to lower levels of matter in the oil. 
     Cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305  can be treated or processed to make it more or less conductive, such as by adding carbon or a polymer. Individual filaments of cut fiber can be processed to have any cross sectional shape from a circle, to a W or S shape, to a triangle, to a square, to a pentagon, to a hexagon, to an octagon, to star shaped. An example preferred embodiment is polyester in a circle or nylon in a W shape. Furthermore, individual filaments of cut fiber can be processed to have any longitudinal shape from a hair, to a W, X or S shape. 
     First surface  202  or  302  has a thickness as seen in  FIG. 3  or  4 , respectively, and that thickness can range from 0.01″ to 1.0″ and more. More preferably, first surface  202  has thickness between 0.02″ and 0.5″; an example preferred thickness of first surface  202  is 0.025″. As the surface area of first surface  202  or  302  increases due to increasing length and/or width of, e.g., a belt of material, the thickness of first surface  202  or  302  will likely increase to compensate for the increase in tensile forces exhibited during operation of the system for collecting matter. Alternatively, a second surface, as described below, can be attached to the first surface  202  or  302  to reduce strain on the first surface, in whole or in part. 
     First surface  202  or  302  can be constructed from any process known in the art which would make a planar surface from at least one substance selected from the group comprising polystyrene, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl, rayon, cotton, hemp, wool, silk, polyolefins, acrylic, nylon, flax, jute, glass, pina, coir, straw, bamboo, velvet, felt, lyocell, spandex, polyurethane, olefin, polyactide, rubber, Kevlar, metallic mesh, carbon fibre, any blend of these and/or recycled products of these. An example of preferable substances is nylon and polyester. First surface  202  or  302  can be manufactured in any process known in the art, such as by weaving, knitting, tufting, spread tow, felting, thermal or mechanical bonding, extrusion, injection molding, compression molding or stamping. 
     Although the cut fiber  204  and looped fiber  305  are bound to their respective first surfaces, repeated extraction cycles could cause the fibers to disconnect from the first surface  202  or  302 , and such disconnection could be detrimental to a material&#39;s collection rate. Therefore, the fibers, such as cut fiber  204  and looped fiber  305 , can be further secured to the first surface by way of fiber reinforcement  206  or  306 . Fiber reinforcement  206  or  306  are represented as dashed lines, because the fiber reinforcement can be integrated into the first surface  202  or  302 , respectively, or on a portion of first surface  202  or  302  which is not visible given the particular view. Alternatively, fiber reinforcement  206  or  306  can be attached to the first surface such that cut fiber  204  or looped fiber  305 , respectively, not only intersects the first surface and but also is reinforced by fiber reinforcement  206  or  306 , respectively, at substantially the same point in space. Said attachment can occur with bonding by welding, adhering, stitching, laminating or any other process known by a person of skill in the art which can bond two or more surfaces together. Fiber reinforcement  206  and  306  can be manufactured from any synthetic or natural fiber which would increase the number of extraction cycles a fiber can endure without disconnecting from the first surface  202  or  302 . An example of a preferred embodiment of a fiber reinforcement is a high twist multifilament nylon strand. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an example embodiment of a material for collecting matter further comprises a second surface  403  or  503  which is attached to a first surface, such as first surface  202  or  302  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively, of the material. Said attachment can occur with bonding by welding, adhering, stitching, laminating or any other process known by a person of skill in the art which can bond two or more surfaces together. Second surface  403  and  503  can provide additional features to the material which may not be provided, in whole or in part, by said first surface. Such additional features comprise improved tensile strength, increased or decreased flexibility or rigidity, increased or decreased coefficient of friction, e.g., configuring to an extractor or moving mechanism, increased or decreased buoyancy, and/or increased or decreased collection rates. In an example embodiment, a second surface  403  or  503  could be constructed of a foam which may cause, e.g., an increase in buoyancy, a reduction of drag in a medium, a reduction of belt friction on a moving mechanism. In an example embodiment, a second surface  403  or  503  could be another first surface complete with cut fibers and/or looped fibers which may, e.g., cause an increase in collection rate. In an example embodiment, a second surface  403  or  503  could be a polymeric sheet which may cause an increase or decrease in buoyancy depending on density, an increase in rigidity and increase in tensile strength. An example of a preferred embodiment of a second surface is a closed cell polyethylene foam which permits the material to reside at a boundary between a medium and the atmosphere. Another example of a preferred embodiment as a second surface is another first surface with cut fibers and/or looped fibers to create a double sided material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an example embodiment of a material for collecting matter further comprises a surface reinforcement  407  or  507  attached to a surface of the material. Although the material has high a high tensile strength, repeated extraction cycles could cause a rupture in a surface of the material. Surface reinforcement  407  and  507  are shown as attached to second surface  403  and  503 ; however, surface reinforcement  407  and  507  could be attached to a first surface, such as first surface  202  or  302  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively, of the material regardless of whether second surface  403  or  503  exist. A surface reinforcement system could integrate into or with a fiber reinforcement system such that reinforcement of a fiber or a surface is achieved using the same reinforcement. Said attachment of the surface reinforcement  407  or  507  to a surface of the material can occur with bonding by welding, adhering, stitching, laminating or any other process known by a person of skill in the art which can bond two or more surfaces together. Surface reinforcement  407  or  507  can be any reinforcement material known to a person of skill in the art which could increase the tensile strength of a surface such as woven nylon, Kevlar sheets, extruded polymers, carbon nanotubes, metallic meshes and many others. An example of a preferred embodiment of surface reinforcement is a nylon seatbelt like material stitched to a distal surface of the material from which cut fibers and or looped fibers protrude, such as is seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , an example embodiment of a cut fiber  604  is shown in increasing zoom. In this example embodiment, cut fiber  604  is a multifilament bunched fiber with a substantially circular cross section.  FIG. 6   c  is an example embodiment of the cut fiber  604  and a first surface  602 . The first surface  602  is a woven structure composed of multifilament wefts and warps with cut fiber  604  interlaced between said wefts and warps and projecting out from first surface  602 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7   a , an example embodiment of a material for collecting matter is comprised of a first surface  702 , a cut fiber  704  and a looped fiber  705 . In this example embodiment, first surface  702  is constructed by weaving nylon straps having a width of 0.05″ and a thickness of 0.015″. Cut fiber  704  is a multifilament nylon wind protruding 1.5″ from the first surface, and an approximate diameter of cut fiber  704  is 0.25″. Looped fiber  705  is of the same construction as cut fiber  704 , and looped fiber  705  protrudes 0.75″ from first surface  702 . An approximate width of looped fiber  705 , taking into account a central void formed by the looped fibers, is 0.75″. Spacing between any two cut fibers  704  and/or looped fibers  705  is between 0.5″ and 0.65″. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7   b , an example embodiment of a material for collecting matter is comprised of a looped fiber  705 , a second surface  703  and a fiber reinforcement  706 . Second surface  703  is constructed of a 0.15″ thick nylon sheet bonded to at least a first surface (not visible). Fiber reinforcement  706 , which runs the length of the material, is a 0.15″ diameter nylon winding which is connected to looped fiber  705 . As shown in  FIGS. 7   c  and  7   d , an example embodiment of a material for collecting matter is comprised of a looped fiber  705 , a first surface  702 , a second surface  703  and a fiber reinforcement  706 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   c , an example embodiment of a material for collecting matter is comprised of a first surface  802  and a cut fiber  804 . First surface  802  is a polyester weave comprised of a 0.010″ diameter multifilament thread. Cut fiber  804 , which is anchored to first surface  802  by woven integration, is a 0.05″ diameter multifilament polyester wind protruding one inch from the first surface  802 . Spacing between any two cut fiber  804  ranges between 0.010″ and 0.1″. 
     Example embodiments of a material for collecting matter discussed above represent the material as substantially planar; however and as shown in  FIG. 9 , a cross section of the material can take on any geometric shape having surface  9   a  and surface  9   b . Surface  9   a  can be a first surface, as described above, and surface  9   b  can be second surface, as described above. Alternatively, surface  9   a  can be a second surface, and surface  9   b  can be first surface. Furthermore, surfaces  9   a  and  9   b  can have the same or different chemical and/or geometric structure. Surfaces  9   a  and  9   b  can be different surfaces of the same three dimensional object; therefore, either  9   a  and  9   b  are both a first surface or  9   a  and  9   b  are both a second surface. 
     If the combination of surfaces  9   a  and  9   b  form a closed geometric shape, then the internal void defined by the surfaces  9   a  and  9   b  can be filled with an object. That object can increase or decrease the buoyancy of the material. For example, stainless steel cables will decrease the material&#39;s buoyancy where as a closed cell polyethylene foam will increase the material&#39;s buoyancy. Furthermore, the object can be absorbent such that it will collect matter through absorption in addition to matter collected on material. In an example embodiment, the object is a polypropylene fiber and/or foam and the matter is oil. The closed geometric shape can be formed, e.g., by first taking a planar sheet of material, then folding it over and then joining the edges together. The exact geometric shape of such stitched material takes can be determined by, e.g., the shape of the inserted object. Alternatively, a first or second layer can be processed directly into any geometric shape, open or closed, by any known method in the art, such as stamping, crimping, extruding, injection molding, compression molding. In an example preferred embodiment, surface  9   a  is a first surface and surface  9   b  is a second surface. In another example preferred embodiment, a material for collecting matter has a cross sectional geometric shape that is substantially oval. 
     A planar material section of material can be used to form a cartridge having a cross sectional geometric shape of surface  9   a  and  9   b  as seen in  FIGS. 9  or  10   a  and  10   b  as seen in  FIG. 10 . Surface  10   a  can be a first surface, as described above, and surface  10   b  can be second surface, as described above. Alternatively, surface  10   a  can be a second surface, and surface  10   b  can be first surface. Furthermore, surfaces  10   a  and  10   b  can have the same or different chemical and/or geometric structure. Surfaces  10   a  and  10   b  can be different surfaces of the same three dimensional object; therefore, either surfaces  10   a  and  10   b  are both a first surface or surfaces  10   a  and  10   b  are both a second surface. 
     Collection 
     Although not intended to be a limiting statement, the matter may collect on the material by at least one process selected from the group of mechanically, chemically and electrically. A mechanical attraction could be, e.g., that a particle of matter becomes entangled by a fiber. A chemical attraction could be, e.g., that a chemical bond forms between a particle of matter and a fiber. An electrical attraction could be, e.g., that a particle carries an electrical charge which is substantially opposite to a charge present on a fiber&#39;s surface. matter may collect on a material in any combination of the aforementioned processes. Large quantities of matter can collect on material in the same manner as small quantities, but collection rate of matter may increase due to agglomeration of matter which may increase the surface area of the material which allows for more points of collection along the material&#39;s surface. Agglomeration could overtake other process of collection as a dominate process. 
     The process of collecting of matter is aided through material selection when considering the matter, the medium and the material. In an example embodiment, if a material is constructed of an oleophilic substance and matter to be collected is oil or a lipid containing organism, then the matter will be attracted to and collect on the material. In an example embodiment, if a material is constructed of an oleophilic substance with hydrophobic properties and a material to be collected is oil or a lipid containing organism in an aqueous medium, then the matter will be attracted to and collect on the material preferentially over the aqueous medium. Preferred embodiments of oleophilic and hydrophobic substances include polyester, polyethylene and polypropylene. In another example embodiment, if a material is constructed of a light conducting material and the matter to be collected is attracted to light, then the matter might collect on the material at an increased initial collection rate over non-light conducting material. The increased initial rate could quicken the point at which collection is dominated by agglomeration which will increase overall collection rate. An example embodiment of a light conducting material is an extruded polyester fiber which may conduct a light source&#39;s rays/beams which may then attract a photosynthetic organism, such as algae. 
     Although the following is not limiting to the invention, a collection can occur in different ways. As seen in  FIG. 11   a , collected matter  1193   a , which is algae, is attached to a surface of material  1101   a . The alga is approximately 2 μm in diameter, and it appears to be a discrete cellular body under high zoom. As seen in  FIG. 11   b,  collected matter  1194   b , which is oil, not only attaches to the material  1101   b  but also appears to create a continuous membrane which spans the distance between individual fibers of material  1101   b.  As seen in  FIG. 11   c , material  1101   c  protrudes from a bulb of collected matter  1193   c , which appears to encapsulate a bunch of fibers comprising material  1101   c . As seen in  FIG. 11   d , collected matter  1193  appears to form a web between fibers comprising material  1101   d . As seen in  FIG. 11   e , collected matter is both forming a bulb around material  1101   e  and adhering to the surface of material  1101   e . As seen in  FIG. 11   f , collected matter  1193   f  is seen adhering to the surface of material  1101   f . The differing phenomenon is only discussed to exhibit visual differences in how matter and material mechanically interact at a micron level. 
     Systems and Methods 
       FIG. 12  shows a Unit that can be used with a method for collecting matter. The Unit is comprised of inlet port  1234  which is adapted to chamber  1223 . Cartridge  1222  is disposed within chamber  1223 , and outlet port is adapted to chamber  1223 . Here, inlet port  1234  and outlet port  1237  are shown as substantially circular apertures in chamber  1223 ; however, inlet port  1234  and outlet port  1237  can be of any size, shape or number which is conducive to permitting a flow of a medium into the chamber through inlet port  1234  and out of the chamber through outlet port  1237 . Suspended matter in the medium will collect on cartridge  1222  as the medium flows between inlet port  1234  and outlet port  1237 . In another example embodiment, inlet port  1234  and outlet port  1237  can be located at a single aperture in chamber  1223  provided that the medium is able to come into contact with cartridge  1222 . In another example embodiment of a port, chamber  1223  could have an open top, like a bucket or cup, where medium can flow into the chamber via the open top and such open top would be considered a port. That port could then also permit outflow of the medium via a spill over. 
       FIG. 13  shows a cross section of a Unit that can be used with a method for collecting matter. The Unit is comprised of inlet port  1334  which is adapted to chamber  1323 . Cartridge  1322  is disposed within chamber  1323 , and outlet port is adapted to chamber  1323 . Chamber  1323  can be of any shape, size and material that is conducive to permitting a flow through chamber  1323 . For example, chamber  1323  can have a cross sectional shape of a circle, triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, star and so forth. Chamber  1323  can have a diameter and/or height of between 6 inches and 30 feet and greater and preferably between 1 foot and 10 feet. Chamber  1323  can be constructed from any polymeric, composite or metallic material which is substantially non-reactive, medium impermeable and pressure resistive. Examples of such materials include polystyrene, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, polyurethane, carbon fibre, aluminum or steel. Chamber  1323  can be clear, translucent or opaque. Chamber  1323  preferably has low adhesive properties with collected matter. 
     Chamber  1323  can be a single piece construction or assembled from different pieces which are adapted together. For example, chamber  1323  can be a cylinder which has a detachable and/or permanently fixed base and/or cover. The base and cover can be of the same or a different material as the chamber, and the base, cover and chamber  1323  can be adapted to each other by any known method in the art, such as adhesives, threading, welding, interlocking or press fitting. 
     Options on size, shape and material of cartridge  1322  are discussed above; however, efficient collection of suspended matter is achieved when the cartridge substantially displaces a void within chamber  1323  such that the medium is forced into contact with the cartridge  1322  before exiting through outlet port  1337 . Cartridge  1322  can be permanently or temporarily affixed to one or more portions of chamber  1323 . Examples of methods of attachment include adhesives, fasteners, snaps, clips, bolts, Velcro, stitching, injection molding integration, interlocking pieces or any other method known in the art. Alternatively, cartridge  1322  can be merely disposed within chamber  1323  without any attachment. A temporary cartridge  1322  can be replaced by user such that a single Unit can have a longer useful life than one cartridge  1322 . Cartridge  1322  can be sanitized by any known method in the art including heating, steaming, washing or rinsing with a cleaning fluid, and cartridge  1322  can be cleaned in place or after removal from chamber  1323 . An example of cleaning in place would be to cycle a cleaning fluid or a hot liquid through the Unit in the same manner medium flow through the Unit. An example of cleaning after removal would be to decouple or extract the cartridge from the Unit and clean using any method known in the art, such as a washing machine or by hand. 
       FIG. 14  shows a cross section of a Unit that can be used with a method for collecting matter. The Unit is comprised of inlet tube  1432 , inlet valve  1433 , inlet port  1434 , chamber  1423 , cartridge  1422 , screen  1415 , base  1426 , outlet port  1437 , outlet valve  1436 , outlet tube  1435 , pressure plate  1412 , connection member  1413  and action plate  1414 . A medium with suspended matter passes through inlet tube  1432 , past open inlet valve  1433  and into chamber  1423  through inlet port  1434 , and the suspended matter collects on cartridge  1422 . The medium flows out of the Unit by passing through screen  1415  and outlet port  1437 , and then through open outlet valve  1436  and outlet tube  1435 . Both inlet tube  1432  and outlet tube  1435  are adapted to both sides of inlet valve  1433  and outlet valve  1436 , respectively. Therefore, inlet tube  1432  and outlet tube  1435  enter the Unit at inlet port  1434  and outlet port  1437 , respectively, and inlet tube  1432  and outlet tube  1435  can be adapted to the Unit in any manner known in the art, such as welding, threading, interlock or adhering. Inlet tube  1432  and outlet tube  1435  can be constructed of any material known in the art to transfer a medium and is capable of adapting to chamber  1423 , inlet valve  1433 , outlet valve  1436  and base  1426 . 
     The Unit of  FIG. 14  has base  1426  instead of being constructed from a single piece as seen in  FIG. 15 . Therefore, outlet port  1437  is an aperture in base  1426  instead of chamber  1423 . Base  1426  can be constructed from any material that chamber  1423  can be constructed from, and base  1426  has a diameter which is at least equal to the inner diameter of chamber  1423 . Base  1426  can be any shape; however, if base  1426  is designed to fit completely inside chamber  1423 , then base  1426  would have to be substantially the same shape as chamber  1423  to prevent medium leakage. Here, base  1426  has a channel which interlocks with chamber  1423  to provide stability and seal the unit; however, base  1426  and chamber  1423  can be joined in any permanent or temporary manner, such as welding, threading, interlocking or adhering. An optional feature of base  1426  is a conical boring on a surface facing the internal void of chamber  1423 . The boring more easily allows the medium to flow out of chamber  1423 . 
       FIG. 15  shows a cross section of a Unit can be used with a method for collecting matter. For reference, the cross sectional view shows outlet port  1537  from the inside of chamber  1523 . Base  1426  is seen as slightly larger in diameter than chamber  1523 . Screen  1515  is shown as a grid formed from thin elements; however, screen  1515  can be a plate with holes or any other structure which permits medium and collected matter to pass through. A primary function of screen  1515  is to prevent a cartridge (not visible) from making contact a bottom surface of the Unit, here seen as base  1526 , such that a void exists between screen  1515  and base  1526 . The void permits efficient drainage of collected matter through outlet port  1537 . Screen  1515  can be constructed from metallic or polymeric materials, and screen  1515  should be a non-reactive, high tensile strength and a material which will not absorb the medium and/or collect matter. Screen  1515  can be permanently or temporarily adapted to chamber  1523  in any manner known in the art, such as fastening, welding, threading, clipping, interlocking or adhering. Alternatively, screen  1515  can abut against a ledge (not shown) projecting outward from an inside surface of chamber  1523 . Alternatively, screen  1515  can contain posts (not shown) which abut against a surface of base  1526 . Screen  1515  can be of any shape and size which fits inside chamber  1523 , permits medium and collected matter to flow through and substantially prevents a cartridge (not shown) from passing through. 
       FIG. 16  shows a Unit that can be used with a method for collecting matter; additional/optional equipment which may improve the Unit&#39;s efficiency is shown. The Unit is comprised of chamber  1623 , duct  1624  and bubbler  1627 . Cartridge  1622  is disposed within duct  1624 . Duct  1624  is disposed within chamber  1623  such that a void is between an outer surface of duct  1624  and an inner surface of chamber  1623 . Bubbler  1627  is interposed between duct  1624  and chamber  1623 . Bubbler  1627  emits bubbles  1627   a  which cause bubbler flow  1627   b  around the duct as represented by arrows. Bubbler flow  1627   b  causes suspended matter in the medium to pass by cartridge  1622  more than the suspended matter might otherwise if no bubbler existed. Bubbler  1627  can be fed a gas to create bubbles  1627   a  in any manner known in the art, such as by running a line through an inlet port  1634 , outlet port  1637  or by adapting a new port in chamber  1623  or base  1626 . 
     The size and shape of duct  1624  should substantially match that of chamber  1623  and/or cartridge  1622 ; however, enough room needs to exist between chamber  1623  and duct  1624  so that the medium can flow around the duct. Duct  1624  can have a diameter and/or height which is between 10 and 99% that of chamber  1623 . Duct  1624  can have a diameter and/or height which is between 100% and 1000% that of cartridge  1622 . Duct  1624  can be made of a same or different material as chamber  1623 , discussed above. Duct  1624  need not be pressure resistive; duct  1624  could be non-reactive. Duct  1624  can sit inside chamber  1623  using posts (not shown) that abut against base  1626 , or duct  1624  can interlock with base  1626  in the same manner as chamber  1623  as seen in  FIG. 16  or temporarily or permanently attach in any many known in the art. Alternatively duct  1624  can have supports (not shown) which abut against chamber  1623 . Those supports can be temporarily or permanently affixed to chamber  1623  by fastening, compressing, interlocking, welding, adhering, clipping or using friction. 
     Advantage of using a bubbler  1627  and duct  1624  comprise decreased energy requirements for a flow of medium, increasing medium circulation to increase collection and injecting a chemical, e.g. carbon dioxide, which algae can use for photosynthesis. Bubbler  1627  and duct  1624  could also prevent suspended matter from collecting near base  1626 . Bubbler  1627  can increase an amount of time suspended matter stays in the Unit, such that the suspended matter is more likely to come in contact with and collect on cartridge  1622 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a cross section of a Unit can be used with a method for collecting matter. For reference, the cross sectional view shows outlet port  1737  from the inside of chamber  1723 . Bubbler  1727  is seen as a tube extended along a perimeter formed where chamber  1723  and base  1726  intersect, but bubbler  1727  need not extend the entire perimeter. Bubbler  1727  is interposed between duct  1724  and chamber  1723 . 
       FIG. 18  shows a method for collecting matter using a matter collection Unit. A material for collection matter, comprised of at least a first surface and a fiber, is formed into a cartridge  1822  and disposed within a provided chamber  1823 . Inlet port  1834  and outlet port  1837  are adapted to the Unit at chamber  1823  and base  1826 , respectively. A medium with suspended matter is permitted to flow through inlet port  1834  to the interior of chamber  1823 . Suspended matter collects on cartridge  1822 , and medium flows out of the unit through outlet port  1837 . 
       FIG. 18  also shows a method for extracting matter using a matter collection Unit. The flow of medium into the Unit at inlet port  1834  ceases by closing inlet valve  1833 . The medium is permitted to continue to flow out of the Unit at outlet port  1837 . Extraction occurs by applying a force to pressure plate  1812 ; the force is translated by connection member  1813  which causes motion in action plate  1814  from a first position  1816  to a second position  1817 . Cartridge  1822  is adapted to action plate  1814  in any manner that cartridge  1822  could be adapted to the Unit and/or chamber  1823 , as discussed above. Such adaptation causes cartridge  1822  to move with action plate  1814 . Action plate  1814  compresses cartridge  1822 ; such compression causes cartridge  1822  to release matter collected. Cartridge  1822  can be compressed multiple times in one extraction cycle. The collected matter exits the chamber by passing through screen  1815  and out of the Unit through outlet port  1837 . The collected matter can be diverted to a container (not shown) for storage. Diversion can occur through operation of outlet valve  1836  such that another tube (not shown) is engaged for permitting flow when outlet valve  1836  obstructs flow through outlet tube  1835 . 
     In an alternative process, outlet valve  1836  is closed so that a small amount of medium is retained within chamber  1823  to an approximate medium level  1897 . The retained medium can be used to wash cartridge  1822  and remove more collected matter than might otherwise be removed through just compression. Furthermore, if medium is drained off slowly, then matter which has loosely or weekly collected on the cartridge will have a higher likelihood of remaining collected instead of draining off and returning to a medium body. Cartridge  1822  can also be twisted at, during or before reaching second position  1817  by twisting pressure plate  1812 ; such twisting may remove more collected matter than might otherwise be removed through just compression. Medium can also be added to chamber  1823  by, e.g., throttling inlet valve  1833 , to wash cartridge  1822  which could further increase extraction efficiency 
     Inlet valve  1833  and outlet valve  1836  can be any type of mechanism, as discussed above, known in the art used to constrict, regulate or prevent a flow of medium, and inlet valve Timing the opening and closing can be done manually or automatically, such that the Unit can operate with minimal human interaction. 
       FIG. 19  shows a process for extracting matter using a matter collection Unit. Unit  1921 , as described in detail above, is adapted to a medium body  1998 , as defined above, to collect suspended matter in medium  1995 .  FIG. 19  shows two pumps  1938 , but one or more pumps can be used in the matter collection process. The medium flows into Unit  1921 , positioned on stand  1928 . Suspended matter collects on a cartridge (not shown) disposed within Unit  1921 . Medium flows out of the Unit and returns to medium body  1998  through outlet tube  1935 . After matter is collected, pump  1938  can be shut off, and extractor  1911  can be used to extract collected matter. The collected matter is diverted to a container (not shown) for storage. Alternatively, collected matter can be diverted to a solid liquid separator, e.g. an SLS offered for sale by Algaeventure Systems, Inc. of Marysville, Ohio, USA, for a subsequent dewatering processes. 
     Pump  1938  creates a differential pressure which permits a flow of medium through inlet tube  1932  out of medium body  1998 . Generally, collection rate is proportional to flow rate; however, collection rate decreases when flow through the Unit causes collected matter to de-collect from a cartridge (not shown) due to highly turbulent flow. Flow rate is dependent on many factors, including the size of Unit  1921  and medium body  1998 . If the medium body is an algal growth system, then the flow rate can be matched to the algal growth so that algae is harvested from a growth system at the same rate that the algae can grow, preferably when algae is at its exponential growth rate. 
     Pump  1938  is an optional component of the process, because medium  1995  can be permitted to flow through Unit  1921  by using a flow already existing in medium body  1998 . For example, if medium body  1998  is a natural body of water with its own flow, due to currents or tides, then that flow could be used to circulate medium through Unit  1921 . Natural bodies of water contain more than just suspended matter, e.g. litter and macro aquatic life; therefore, a filter can be used on conjunction with an inlet port to prevent fouling of the Unit with litter, e.g. Alternatively, processes such as introducing ozone, UV light, electricity, cross flow filters and membrane filters, can reduce contamination of collected matter by organisms. If medium body  1998  is a raceway, then an induced circulation of medium can be utilized allow medium  1995  to flow through Unit  1921 . In such an embodiment, Unit  1921  could be inserted into the raceway such that inlet tube  1932  and/or outlet tube  1935  is not necessary. Medium enters the Unit directly through an inlet port shaped, e.g., like a slot or grill shaped aperture. A user can pull the Unit out of the medium body and subsequently extract. The Unit can be an apparatus to close of the inlet port so that collected matter is not lost prior to extraction; such an apparatus could be, e.g., a slider or cover or cap which is moved into place to obstruct any ports. If a Unit is disposed within a medium body, then the Unit can have movement means, such that it can travel through the medium and collect matter. Movement means can be any device known in the art to propel an object through a medium, such as wheels, tracks or a propeller. 
     In an alternative embodiment, outlet tube  1935  can be adapted to Unit  1921  in manner such that outlet tube  1935  acts as an overflow tube. Such a construction would mean that an outlet valve and a pump is not necessary. This could also simplify the extraction process 
     Extractor  1911  can be any type of mechanism, as discussed in detail above, known in the art used to extract matter from a material, and extractor  1911  can be operated manually, mechanically and/or electronically. Timing the opening and closing can be done manually or automatically, such that the Unit can operate with minimal human interaction. 
     Unit  1921  can be fitted with any device known in the art to permit transport or movement of Unit  1921  from one location to another; such devices comprise handles, wheels, slots, hooks and castors. Unit  1921  can move from one medium body  1998  to another medium body  1998  such that an algae grower can have one Unit  1921  for several growth systems. Multiple Units can be operated in parallel or in series to maximize matter collection efficiency. 
     The length of a dwell period can be determined in a variety of ways. A simple method is to determine a fixed time, and that time can take into account different factors: pump flow, cartridge surface area, chamber diameter and suspended matter concentration. If suspended matter has a color which differs from that of the cartridge and the color intensity and/or opacity increases with increased collection, then optical measurements can be used to determine when an extraction process is necessary. For example, if a particular strain of algae reflects a narrow range of electromagnetic wavelengths when at a specific concentration, then using an optical sensor to start extraction when the wavelength is reached can be used. In another example, an electromagnetic beam can be reflected off of a surface and collected by an optical sensor; if the beam&#39;s intensity drops below a certain point, then the extraction process can begin. Suspended matter has mass; therefore, changes in weight of a cartridge can be used to determine when a cartridge is ready for extraction. Adapting a measuring device, e.g. a graduated cylinder, with the chamber can provide a visual indicator of readiness based on how much suspended matter collects in the device. Collected matter can change the medium&#39;s or the cartridge&#39;s capacitance and/or conductivity; therefore, electrical charge can be used to determine when a cartridge is ready. Any of these methods can be manual, such that a user must take a reading and then start a process, or automatic, such that the Unit reacts to start the extraction process in response to a sensor. Additionally processes can occur in a Unit, such as sonication to separate solids from lipids and lipid boosting. 
     EXAMPLE  
     A swatch of material was cut from cut fiber material made from polyester. The material had a first surface with a thickness of 0.0254 cm. The cut fibers were multifilament bunches having an individual filament diameter of approximately 0.0013 cm and a bunch diameter of approximately 0.076 cm. Spacing between bunches ranged from 0.013 cm to 0.3 cm. The material was folded over into a double sided material and stitched along an edge to form a surface area of 1.75 m 2  and weighing approximately 840 grams. The material was formed into a cartridge 38.1 cm high with a radius of 13.65 cm. The cartridge was disposed within an acrylic cylindrical duct having an inner diameter of 27.3 cm, wall thickness of 0.3175 cm and height of 38.1 cm. The duct was disposed within an acrylic cylindrical chamber having an inner diameter of 29.85 cm, wall thickness of 0.3175 cm and height of 38.1 cm. A bubbler was interposed between the duct and chamber. A 5.1 cm thick nylon base was milled to adapt to the chamber, the duct and an outlet port, and the pieces where then fitted and sealed to the base. A stainless steel screen was attached to the base inside the duct using screws. A plunger type extractor was fitted to the duct using a cover, and an inlet port manifold with four 0.95 cm inlet tubes was adapted to the cover. The plunger was adapted to the cartridge. An outlet port was fitted to the chamber such that overflow medium waterfalls into a medium body. The tubes were fitted to a pump set to flow at 19 gallons per hour. The pump pumped medium from a medium body having a volume of 993 liters with an algal concentration of 0.14 grams per liter. The bubbler bubbles air into the chamber at a rate between 2.3 and 7 cfm. The cartridge had a dwell time of 24 hours, and then the pump was shut off and inlet valve closed. Medium was slowly drained out of the Unit until only a few centimeters remained, and then an outlet valve was closed. An outlet tube was positioned over a container, and the plunger was depressed. An oscillatory motion was used to extract collect matter, and the retained medium washed the cartridge, further increasing collection. The collected matter exited the unit through the outlet port, outlet tube and open outlet valve. A mixture of collected matter and retained medium, 15 liters had a concentration of 8.65 grams per liter. The medium body, prior to collection, had 139 grams of algae in 993 liters of water, and the Unit collected 129 grams of algae for a collection efficiency of 93% on with a pump using between 3.9 to 5 watts of energy. 
     The previously described embodiments of the present invention have many advantages, including processes that satisfy the need for a low initial, operating and downstream cost while being a contaminant free and a non-damaging process for collecting matter suspended and/or dissolved in a liquid medium. Embodiments of the invention do not need to incorporate all advantages that the invention achieves over prior art. 
     Having shown and described embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention and still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.