Electrochemical reaction device

Abstract

An electrochemical reaction device includes: an electrolytic solution tank including a first storage part to store a first electrolytic solution, and a second storage part to store a second electrolytic solution; a reduction electrode disposed in the first storage part and having a first surface; an oxidation electrode disposed in the second storage part and having a second surface; and a generator connected to the reduction and oxidation electrodes. A region in the first storage part between the first surface and an inner wall of the first storage part is an electrolytic solution flow path. The electrolytic solution flow path has a maximum part and a minimum part.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochemical reaction device, comprising:
 an electrolytic solution tank including a first storage part to store a first electrolytic solution containing carbon dioxide, and a second storage part to store a second electrolytic solution containing water;   a reduction electrode disposed in the first storage part and having a first surface containing a reduction catalyst;   an oxidation electrode disposed in the second storage part and having a second surface containing an oxidation catalyst; and   a generator connected to the reduction electrode and the oxidation electrode,   wherein a region in the first storage part between the first surface and an inner wall of the first storage part is an electrolytic solution flow path for sending the first electrolytic solution,   wherein the electrolytic solution flow path has a maximum part having a maximum value of an area distribution from one end to another end on a length direction of the electrolytic solution flow path of a cross section perpendicular to the length direction, and a minimum part having a minimum value of the area distribution.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the generator has a photoelectric conversion body having a third surface connected to the reduction electrode, and a fourth surface connected to the oxidation electrode.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein Reynolds number of the minimum part is 3000 or more and 200000 or less.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein an aspect ratio of the maximum part to an aspect ratio of the minimum part is 10 or more and 1000 or less.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a flow velocity of the first electrolytic solution at the minimum part when the first electrolytic solution flows through the minimum part is 1 m/s or more and 100 m/s or less.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a largest diameter of a cross section perpendicular to the length direction at the minimum part is 1 mm or more and 50 mm or less.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a partition wall provided in the first storage part between the first surface and the inner wall of the first storage part to be in contact with the inner wall of the first storage part, and is overlaid with the minimum part.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the photoelectric conversion body is provided inside the electrolytic solution tank or outside the electrolytic solution tank.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a region in the second storage part between the second surface and an inner wall of the second storage part is a second electrolytic solution flow path for sending at least a part of the second electrolytic solution,   wherein in the second electrolytic solution flow path, a smallest value of an area distribution from one end to another end on a second length direction of the second electrolytic solution flow path of a cross section perpendicular to the second length direction is larger than the minimum value, and   wherein a flow of the second electrolytic solution in the second electrolytic solution flow path is a laminar flow.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a compound produced by a reduction reaction of the carbon dioxide contains carbon monoxide.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a compound produced by a reduction reaction of the carbon dioxide contains ethylene glycol.   
     
     
         12 . An electrochemical reaction device, comprising:
 an electrolytic solution tank including a first storage part to store a first electrolytic solution containing carbon dioxide, and a second storage part to store a second electrolytic solution containing water;   a reduction electrode disposed in the first storage part and having a first surface containing a reduction catalyst;   an oxidation electrode disposed in the second storage part having a second surface containing an oxidation catalyst; and   a generator connected to the reduction electrode and the oxidation electrode, wherein a region in the first storage part between the first surface and an inner wall of the first storage part is an electrolytic solution flow path for sending the first electrolytic solution,   wherein the electrolytic solution flow path has a first region and a second region and the first and second regions are arranged along a length direction of the electrolytic solution flow path,   wherein the second region has a partition wall to cause a turbulent flow in the first electrolytic solution and the partition wall is in contact with the inner wall.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 ,
 wherein Reynolds number of the second region is 3000 or more and 200000 or less.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the generator has a photoelectric conversion body having a third surface connected to the reduction electrode, and a fourth surface connected to the oxidation electrode.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 ,
 wherein the photoelectric conversion body is provided inside the electrolytic solution tank or outside the electrolytic solution tank.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 ,
 wherein a compound produced by a reduction reaction of the carbon dioxide contains carbon monoxide.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 ,
 wherein a compound produced by a reduction reaction of the carbon dioxide contains ethylene glycol.