NOVELTY - A devolatilization apparatus comprises: a multiple-stage devolatilization unit (201) configured for both gas phase (203) and solid phase (204) to pass through first stage of the devolatilization unit; to remove at least a portion of the gas phase prior to passing through a final stage of the devolatilization unit; and to pass the solid phase through the final stage.    USE - As an apparatus for devolatilizing a carbon-containing feed material to form gas and solid phases; which are then combined to form syngas, followed by catalytic conversion of syngas to 1-4C alcohol(s) (preferably methanol and ethanol) (claimed). Also useful as a platform intermediate in the chemical and biorefining industries, such as for conversion into alkanes, olefins, and oxygenates; which can be blended into, or used directly as, diesel fuel, gasoline, and other liquid fuels. The syngas can also be directly combusted to produce heat and power.    ADVANTAGE - The devolatilization apparatus comprising multiple-stage devolatilization unit is configured for both gas phase and solid phase to pass through first stage of devolatilization unit; and is capable of producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material, which is then catalytically converted into 1-4C alcohol(s). In contrast to some prior methods that conduct the devolatilization and reforming process for the production of syngas within a controlled reducing environment, the devolatilization apparatus employs the concept of addition of that oxygen or oxygen-enriched air i.e. gas phase to the system; which supplies an enthalpy source that displaces additional fuel requirements e.g. by causing an exothermic reaction such as the partial or total oxidation of carbon or devolatilization products with oxygen, also allows for reactions including steam reforming, water-gas shift (WGS), and/or combustion reactions, and assists pyrolysis and/or cracking reactions in the devolatilization unit and/or generates heat which can provide a temperature rise from partial oxidation; achieves a more favorable H2/CO ratio in the syngas, compared to the ratio produced by the same method in the absence of oxygen (1 to greater than or equal to 5 versus 0.5-2), where an increased water-gas shift (by higher rates of steam addition) tends to produce higher H2/CO ratios, which can then be lowered with decreased steam addition and increased oxygen addition; which increases the yield of products formed from the syngas i.e. facilitates commercial conversion of syngas to other products, such as 2-4C alcohol (preferably ethanol); increases the yield of syngas e.g. by reducing the formation of less-reactive compounds and/or by converting certain species to syngas; and/or increases the purity of syngas e.g. by reducing the amount of CO2, pyrolysis products, tar, aromatic compounds, and/or other undesirable products. Thus, the apparatus is more cost-effective to produce syngas, than the prior art apparatuses. The amount and quality of syngas produced during this step can be adjusted by oxygen and/or steam addition. Also, the production and/or subsequent conditioning of syngas can be controlled to produce syngas having a H2/CO ratio within a range desired to optimize e.g. production of methanol, and/or ethanol. The syngas from devolatilization is of sufficient quality for further applications. Thus, in some cases the gas phase and solid phase from devolatilization need not proceed to a separate heated reaction vessel (such as a steam reformer). Instead, the gas and solid phases may be collected and used directly; or can be stored for future use. The substitution of alcohols produced in place of petroleum-based fuels and fuel additives is environmentally friendly, as the alcohols are produced from feed materials other than fossil fuels.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A devolatilization apparatus comprises: a multiple-stage devolatilization unit (201) configured for both gas phase (203) and solid phase (204) to pass through first stage of the devolatilization unit; to remove at least a portion of the gas phase prior to passing through a final stage of the devolatilization unit; and to pass the solid phase through the final stage. The three-stage devolatilization unit is configured for at least a portion of gas phase to be removed prior to passing through a third stage of devolatilization unit, and for solid phase to pass through third stage; or for removing portion of gas phase from the devolatilization unit between first and second stages, and removing the remainder of gas phase between second and third stages. The devolatilization unit comprises at least one twin screw each having a pair of overlapping screws to move a feed material (101) through devolatilization unit. The apparatus is configured to combine gas phase with solid phase after each phase is passed through, or has been removed from, devolatilization unit. The solid phase and the gas phase are capable of producing at least some syngas, and apparatus further comprises a heated reaction vessel for producing syngas in communication with devolatilization unit. The apparatus further comprises: inlets for steam and oxygen in communication with devolatilization unit; inlet for oxygen in communication with heated reaction vessel; and reactor with catalyst for converting syngas to 1-4C alcohol(s), or first reactor comprising first catalyst for converting syngas to methanol and second reactor comprising second catalyst for converting syngas and methanol to ethanol. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) method for devolatilizing carbon-containing feed material involving: devolatilizing the feed in the devolatilization unit to form gas phase comprising carbon monoxide and solid phase; removing at least a portion of gas phase from devolatilization unit; passing solid phase through all of devolatilization unit; combining solid phase with gas that was removed; and steam reforming solid phase and gas phase to produce syngas, with addition of oxygen to cause partial oxidation; and catalytically converting syngas to at least one 1-4C alcohols; and    (2) an apparatus for producing syngas comprising: the multiple-stage devolatilization unit capable of devolatilizing a carbon-containing feed material to form gas and solid phases, in communication with a heated reaction vessel (301) capable of producing syngas from the gas phase and the solid phase, where the devolatilization unit is in further communication with a first inlet for oxygen; and a catalytic reactor capable of converting the syngas to at least one 1-4C alcohol.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a process flow for a two-stage devolatilization unit.    Feed section (101)    Devolatilization unit (201)    Gas phase (203)    Solid phase (204)    Devolatilization chambers (210-219)    Devolatilization combustion air (244)    Reformer reactor/reaction vessel (301)