Activated carbon (AC) with a high capacity was selected for n-butanol adsorption.
Fed-batch fermentation with AC adsorption produced ∼230% more or ∼54.6 g/L butanol.
Productivity increased 32% to ∼0.45 g/L·h, with a butanol yield of ∼0.22 g/g.
Thermal desorption was energy-efficient, producing a solution of 167 g/L butanol.
Fermentation with AC adsorption offers an efficient process for butanol production.