TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The compounder includes a conveyor zone and a shear zone. The compounder includes multiple shear zones separated by conveyor zones. The shear zone includes kneading and high surface area elements. The compounder includes a single screw. The compounder is a twin screw, counter-rotating compounder (8), or a twin screw, co-rotating compounder. The compounder includes downstream from the shear zone, a devolatilization zone for venting steam and heat. The compounder includes downstream from the devolatilization zone, a quench zone for introducing fluids to the biomass within the compounder. The compounder includes downstream from the quench zone, an enzyme mixing zone for introducing enzymes to the biomass within the compounder. The compounder includes downstream from the enzyme mixing zone a slurry mixing zone for adjusting the consistency of the biomass by the introduction of water within the compounder.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The thermal reaction includes the introduction of live steam. The pH of the thermal reaction is adjusted to acidic conditions, which includes a pH of 1-6, preferably 2.5-4. The acidic conditions are obtained by introducing an acid comprising sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, acetic and/or lactic acids. The thermal reaction exceeds 1 minute. The thermal reaction takes place within duration of 10-90 minutes. The thermal reaction takes place under pressure of 70-225 psia. The thermal reaction takes place at 150-200 degrees C. In the process, steam released from the explosive decompression is recovered in a flash tank. The explosive decompression reduces the pressure of the thermal reaction to 5-32 psia. The explosive decompression reduces the temperature of the biomass to 70-125 degrees C. The axial shear forces are provided by introducing the biomass to a compounder. The process further comprises: an enzyme treatment step to convert the treated biomass to monomeric sugars; and a fermentation step to convert the monomeric sugars to ethanol. The steam captured in the flash tank includes degradation products separated from the biomass. Preferred Components: The degradation products are furfural and/or acetic acid. The concentration of the degradation compounds in the treated biomass is less than 1 wt% of dry biomass feedstock. The predetermined moisture level is 40-80%, preferably 60-75%. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.