The role of phase separation and feed cycle length in leach beds coupled to methanogenic reactors for digestion of a solid substrate (Part 1): Optimisation of reactors' performance

► A novel operational mode for two-phase anaerobic system is demonstrated. ► Feed cycle length and digestate retention affected reactors' performance. ► High methane yield and solid degradation was achieved compared to other systems. ► Short feed cycle resulted in higher volumetric solid degradation and methane yields. ► Leach bed VFA concentration was not rate-limiting for methanogenic reactor.