Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass

A method for processing cellulosic biomass solids comprising:

• providing a reactor in a first reaction zone with a first reaction content comprising cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a hydrogen-activating catalyst, and a digestion solvent;
• heating the first reaction content in the reactor in the first reaction zone to form a first reaction product comprising phenolics and an alcoholic component;
• providing a reactor in a second reaction zone with a second reaction content comprising the first reaction product, molecular hydrogen, and a hydrogen-activating catalyst;
• heating the second reaction content in the reactor in the second reaction zone to form a second reaction product comprising hydrocarbons converted from phenolics and unconverted phenolics;
• separating an unconverted phenolics fraction from the second reaction product;
• providing a first portion of the unconverted phenolics fraction to the reactor in the first reaction zone;
• and
• providing a second portion of the unconverted phenolics fraction to the reactor in the second reaction zone.