NOVELTY - Biomass is comminuted to effective particle size and dried in drying zone (120), to obtain dried comminuted biomass stream and vapor stream (v1). The dried biomass stream is torrefied in torrefaction zone (130), to obtain vapor phase stream (v2) comprising steam and small amounts of organic components, and torrefied dried comminuted biomass stream. The biomass stream is passed to gasification zone, vapor stream (v1) is converted to hot flue gas (34) in combustion zone and hot flue gas is conducted to drying zone for to heating biomass, to obtain biomass feedstream.    USE - Process for preparing biomass feedstream used for gasification for producing syngas.    ADVANTAGE - The method enables preparation of biomass feedstream having high energy density, friability and gasification efficiency.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Biomass is comminuted to effective particle size, and comminuted biomass is conducted to drying zone such that 90 wt.% or more water is removed to result in dried comminuted biomass stream and vapor stream (v1). The dried comminuted biomass stream is supplied to torrefaction zone, torrefied at 200-350?0C in non-oxidizing environment, such that weight loss of 10-15% on dry ash-free basis at effective residence time occurs, to obtain vapor phase stream (v2) comprising steam and small amounts of organic components, and torrefied dried comminuted biomass stream. The torrefied dried comminuted biomass stream is passed to gasification zone, portion(s) (17) of vapor stream (v1) is vented to the atmosphere, remaining portion (18) of vapor stream (v1) is conducted to combustion zone, portion(s) of vapor stream (v2) is conducted to combustion zone and portion(s) of remaining vapor stream (v2) is recycled to torrefaction zone to act as sweep gas. The combustion zone is operated at effective temperature for effective time, and 99 wt.% or more volatile organic components from vapor phase (v2) is converted to hot flue gas. Portion(s) of hot flue gas is conducted to drying zone, to provide portion(s) of heat necessary to dry the biomass to a predetermined level, to obtain biomass feedstream. Portion(s) of remaining hot flue gas is passed through passageway (p1) of heat exchanger having passageway (p1) and passageway (p2) contiguous to each other, and not in fluid communication with each other, in which each passageway has inlet and outlet, and each passageway is constructed to allow fluid to pass from inlet and outlet and to allow heat to be transferred from fluid of one passageway to a fluid in the other passageway. Heat-transfer medium is passed through passageway (p2) of heat exchanger and heat is transferred from hot flue gas passing through passageway (p1) of heat exchanger, to obtain hot heat-transfer medium and cooled flue gas.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic view explaining the preparation of biomass feedstream.    Portions of vapor stream (17,18)    Hot flue gas (34)    Drying zone (120)    Torrefaction zone (130)