NOVELTY - An apparatus (11) for processing cellulosic biomass comprises first vessels (13) having openings to receive and discharge biomass; conveying device (15) engaging the vessel to prevent discharge of gas held under pressure to form biomass laden with gas; supercritical/critical/near critical fluid device (17); discharge device (21) discharging the gas to form disrupted cellulosic biomass; and second vessels (23a, 23b) receiving disrupted biomass and performing hydrolysis/fermentation to form carbon dioxide and one of ethanol and/or bio-fuel, wood-based chemical and higher value materials.    USE - For processing cellulosic biomass to make ethanol and/or bio-fuels, wood-based chemical and higher value materials (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The apparatus provides continuous processing of cellulosic biomasses with a supercritical, critical or near critical fluid (i.e. carbon dioxide), and reducing inefficiencies of batch processes and apparatus. The apparatus provides recycling of supercritical, critical or near critical fluid (i.e. carbon dioxide) thus reduces emissions which add to the green house gas load of the atmosphere.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An apparatus (11) for processing cellulosic biomass to make ethanol and/or bio-fuels, wood-based chemical and higher value materials comprises: at least one first vessel (13) having at least one opening for receiving the cellulosic biomass and discharging a cellulosic biomass; conveying device (15) in fluid communication with the first vessel for receiving cellulosic biomass stored in the first vessel, engaging the first vessel to prevent discharge of a gas held under pressure to form a cellulosic biomass laden with a supercritical, critical or near critical gas; supercritical, critical or near critical fluid device (17) in fluid communication with the conveying device for placing the biomass held in conveying device in the presence of a supercritical, critical or near critical fluid selected from gases comprising carbon dioxide and entrainers and modifiers; discharge device (21) in fluid communication with the conveying device for receiving the biomass laden with the supercritical, critical or near critical gas, discharging the gas to form a disrupted cellulosic biomass; and at least one second vessel (23a and 23b) in fluid communication with the discharge device for receiving the disrupted cellulosic biomass, and performing at least one processing step selected from hydrolysis and fermentation to form carbon dioxide and at least one product selected from ethanol and/or a bio-fuel, wood-based chemical and higher value materials. The second vessel has at least one opening for discharging the product and at least one gas discharge opening for discharging carbon dioxide. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for making ethanol and/or bio-fuels, wood-based chemical and higher value materials from a cellulosic biomass involving providing at least one apparatus having first vessel, conveying device, supercritical, critical or near critical fluid device, discharge device, and at least one second vessel; and loading the first vessel with a cellulosic biomass and processing the cellulosic biomass through the conveying device, discharge device and the second vessel with a gas under supercritical, critical or near critical conditions.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of an apparatus.    Apparatus (11)    First vessel (13)    Conveying device (15)    Supercritical, critical or near critical fluid device (17)    Discharge device (21)    Second vessel (23a and 23b)