NOVELTY - Converting a carbon-containing feedstock into syngas, comprises: (a) introducing a carbon-containing feedstock into a fluid bed gasifier for gasifying at least a portion of the carbon-containing feedstock, and generating a first solid stream and first gas stream; (b) introducing the first solid and/or gas stream into a reactor for partially oxidizing or reforming at least a portion of the first solid and/or gas stream, and generating a second gas stream; and (c) introducing the second gas stream into a heat-recovery unit for recovery of a portion of heat contained in the second gas stream.    USE - The process is useful for converting carbon-containing feedstock into syngas and other products comprising alcohols (preferably ethanol), alkanes, olefins, aldehydes, ethers, acids and hydrogen, and for converting biomass into ethanol (all claimed), where the biomass includes e.g. plant and plant-derived material, vegetation, agricultural waste, forestry waste, wood waste, paper waste, animal-derived waste, poultry-derived waste, cellulose, hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, charcoal, timber harvesting residues, softwood chips, hardwood chips, tree branches, tree stumps, leaves, bark, sawdust, off-spec paper pulp, corn, corn stover, wheat straw, rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, switchgrass, Miscanthus, animal manure, municipal garbage, municipal sewage, commercial waste, grape pumice, almond shells, pecan shells, coconut shells, coffee grounds, grass pellets, hay pellets, wood pellets, cardboard, paper, plastic and cloth, and the syngas is useful for forming carbon monoxide, ammonia, graphite, methanol, paraffins, and other hydrocarbons such as 5-15C hydrocarbons, diesel fuel, gasoline, waxes, isobutane, acetic acid, dimethyl ether, ethylene, propylene, methane and formaldehyde.    ADVANTAGE - The process allows for reduced overall capital cost, higher overall conversion efficiency and energy usage, improved reliability, and/or better syngas availability.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Converting a carbon-containing feedstock into syngas, comprises: (a) introducing a carbon-containing feedstock into a fluid bed gasifier for gasifying at least a portion of the carbon-containing feedstock, and generating a first solid stream and a first gas stream; (b) introducing the first solid stream and/or the first gas stream into a reactor for partially oxidizing or reforming at least a portion of the first solid stream and/or the first gas stream, and generating a second gas stream comprising syngas at a first temperature; and (c) introducing the second gas stream into a heat-recovery unit for recovery of a portion of heat contained in the second gas stream, where the syngas is cooled to a second temperature lower than the first temperature. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) converting biomass into ethanol comprising (a1) introducing biomass into a fluid bed gasifier for gasifying at least a portion of the biomass, and generating a first solid stream and a first gas stream; (b1) introducing the first solid stream and/or the first gas stream into a reactor for partially oxidizing or reforming the first gas stream, and generating a second gas stream comprising syngas at a first temperature of 800-1200 degrees C; (c1) introducing the second gas stream into a heat-recovery unit for recovery of a portion of heat contained in the second gas stream, where the syngas is cooled to a second temperature of 50-350 degrees C; and (d1) converting the syngas into a product comprising ethanol; and    (2) an apparatus for converting a carbon-containing feedstock into syngas, comprising: a fluid-bed gasifier for gasifying a carbon-containing feedstock; a reactor for partially oxidizing or reforming at least a portion of the first solid stream and/or the first gas stream; and a heat-recovery unit for recovery of a portion of heat contained in the second gas stream and for cooling the syngas.