H2 mass transfer – A key factor for efficient biological methanation: Comparison between pilot-scale experimental data, 1D and CFD models

•Satisfactory numerical prediction of bioreactor performances using 1D and CFD models.•Uniform porous plate leads to higher interfacial mass transfer.•Analytical solutions unravel the impact of operating conditions on biological methanation efficiency.•Sensitivity analysis reveals that CH4 % increases with H2 mass transfer but is not impacted by the absolute pressure.