TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The molten metal in each of the first, second and third baths comprises: a metal comprising gallium, indium, lead or their alloys; or a metal comprising gallium, indium and/or lead, or further alloyed with a metal comprising bismuth, cadmium, thallium and tin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The method further comprises: (e) combusting a portion of the synthesis gas to heat the first, second, and third molten baths; or (e) combusting an external source of natural gas or hydrogen gas to heat the first, second, and third molten baths. The step (b) further comprises incorporating a gas comprising natural gas, hydrogen gas, recycled synthesis gas and/or flue-condensed water, into the process gas. In step (e), the portion of synthesis gas is combusted to heat the third molten bath only, and heat from the third molten bath is integrated to heat the second and first molten baths. The step (a) comprises directly immersing the biomass into the first molten bath, the step (c) comprises directly immersing the dried biomass into the second molten bath, and the step (d) comprises reacting the product gases of step (c) with the process gas of step (b) within rising bubbles of product gas formed within the third molten bath. The biomass is moved from the first molten bath of step (a) to the second molten bath of (c) in the form of a slurry of molten metal or molten ionic liquid and dried biomass. In step (a), the first temperature is less than 200 degrees C, in the step (c) the second temperature is 300-800 degrees C, and in step (d) the third temperature is less than 1200 degrees C. Preferred Components: The first, second, and third baths comprise molten ionic liquid baths. The molten ionic liquid has a melting temperature less than 250 degrees C, and a boiling point greater than 1000 degrees C. The molten metal or ionic liquid in each of the first, second, and third baths is the same. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.