The performance of the reactor improved with increases in temperature. The COD removal increased from 35%in mesophilic conditions, to 45%in thermophilic conditions, and 55%in the two stage temperature phased system. As a consequence, the specific biogas production increased from 0.33 to 0.45 and to 0.49 m3/kgVSfed at 35, 55, and 65 + 55 掳C, respectively. The extreme thermophilic reactor working at 65 掳C showed a high hydrolytic capability and a specific yield of 0.33 gCOD (soluble) per gVSfed. The effluent of the extreme thermophilic reactor showed an average concentration of soluble COD and volatile fatty acids of 20 and 9 g/l, respectively. Acetic and propionic acids were the main compounds found in the acids mixture. Because of the improved digestion efficiency, organic nitrogen and phosphorus were solubilised in the bulk. Their concentration, however, did not increase as expected because of the formation of salts of hydroxyapatite and struvite inside the reactor.