A wind-driven direct air capture (WEDAC) system offers the potential for passive, remote CO2 removal from the atmosphere without relying on fans, steam generators, or humidity control. In this work, we present a WEDAC system that employs direct Joule heating of a sorbent layer coated onto carbon fibers, enabling faster cycle times and improved electrical energy utilization. The system achieved a maximum CO2 capture capacity of 26 mol cycle-1 m-3 and a daily productivity of 1150 mol m-3. These values were quantified by analyzing the module’s heating and cooling dynamics. Optimizing Joule heat usage not only simplifies the system architecture but also enhances energy efficiency. We show that improving the uniformity of the sorbent coating on carbon fibers significantly boosts heat transfer. Additionally, adjusting the heating rate and the sorbent-to-fiber volume ratio increased energy efficiency, reaching approximately 15 GJ per tonne of CO2 captured. A techno-economic analysis was also conducted to evaluate the system’s feasibility based on lab-scale cycle times, capture capacity, and energy requirements.
