Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for recovering a lipid or hydrocarbon from a fermentation mixture, comprising the steps of—providing a fermentation mixture wherein the lipid or hydrocarbon is produced by microbial fermentation in a fermentation vessel, which mixture comprises an aqueous phase and a liquid product phase, wherein the liquid product phase comprises the lipid or hydrocarbon; and—feeding at least part of the aqueous phase and part of the liquid product phase to a second vessel, thereby forming a second mixture; and—promoting phase-separation of the aqueous and product phase by injecting a gas into the second mixture, thereby separating the product phase from the aqueous phase; and—collecting the product phase comprising the lipid or hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a pulp biomass, comprising subjecting a biomass containing feed to a treatment which comprises bringing the feed to a pressure of 100-250 bar, keeping the pressurized feed subsequently or concomitantly at a temperature not exceeding 280 degrees C. over a period of up to 60 minutes, thereby obtaining a pulp and optionally subjecting the pulp to a reaction step in which the pulp is heated over a. period of up to 60 minutes to a temperature exceeding 280 degrees C. resulting in the continuous production of a hydrocarbon product having a greater energy density than biomass.