Dynamic effect of total solid content, low substrate/inoculum ratio and particle size on solid-state anaerobic digestion

[Display omitted] •Total solid content is the main factor that drives solid-state anaerobic digestion.•S/X ratio has an impact on the start-up phase of dry anaerobic digestion.•The start-up phase is affected by the soluble fraction of fine particle.•Both TS content and particle size modify the apparent water quantity. Among all the process parameters of solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD), total solid content (TS), inoculation (S/X ratio) and size of the organic solid particles can be optimized to improve methane yield and process stability. To evaluate the effects of each parameter and their interactions on methane production, a three level Box-Behnken experimental design was implemented in SS-AD batch tests degrading wheat straw by adjusting: TS content from 15% to 25%, S/X ratio (in volatile solids) between 28 and 47 and particle size with a mean diameter ranging from 0.1 to 1.4mm. A dynamic analysis of the methane production indicates that the S/X ratio has only an effect during the start-up phase of the SS-AD. During the growing phase, TS content becomes the main parameter governing the methane production and its strong interaction with the particle size suggests the important role of water compartmentation on SS-AD.