Carbon Dioxide Gas Phase Reduction Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device includes an oxidation tank including an oxidation electrode, a reduction tank to which carbon dioxide is supplied, an intermediate tank that is disposed between the oxidation tank and the reduction tank and capable of pouring and discharging an electrolytic solution, an ion exchange membrane disposed between the oxidation tank and the intermediate tank, a gas reduction sheet in which an ion exchange membrane and a reduction electrode are laminated and which is disposed between the reduction tank and the intermediate tank with the ion exchange membrane facing the intermediate tank and the reduction electrode facing the reduction tank, and a conducting wire connecting the oxidation electrode to the reduction electrode.

1 . A carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device comprising:
 an oxidation tank including an oxidation electrode;   a reduction tank to which carbon dioxide is supplied;   an intermediate tank that is disposed between the oxidation tank and the reduction tank and is capable of having an electrolytic solution poured thereinto and discharging the electrolytic solution;   an ion exchange membrane disposed between the oxidation tank and the intermediate tank;   a gas reduction sheet in which an ion exchange membrane and a reduction electrode are laminated and which is disposed between the reduction tank and the intermediate tank with the ion exchange membrane facing the intermediate tank and the reduction electrode facing the reduction tank; and   a conducting wire connecting the oxidation electrode to the reduction electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a light source irradiating the oxidation electrode with light. 
     
     
         3 . The carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a power source connected to the conducting wire. 
     
     
         4 . The carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidation electrode is an n-type semiconductor. 
     
     
         5 . A carbon dioxide gas phase reduction method performed by a carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device, the carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device comprising:
 an oxidation tank including an oxidation electrode:   a reduction tank to which carbon dioxide is supplied;   an intermediate tank that is disposed between the oxidation tank and the reduction tank and is capable of having an electrolytic solution poured thereinto and discharging the electrolytic solution;   an ion exchange membrane disposed between the oxidation tank and the intermediate tank;   a gas reduction sheet in which an ion exchange membrane and a reduction electrode are laminated and which is disposed between the reduction tank and the intermediate tank with the ion exchange membrane facing the intermediate tank and the reduction electrode facing the reduction tank; and   a conducting wire connecting the oxidation electrode to the reduction electrode,   wherein the method includes performing:   a first step of pouring the electrolytic solution into the oxidation tank and supplying carbon dioxide to the reduction tank, and   a second step of pouring the electrolytic solution into the intermediate tank only when the oxidation electrode is irradiated with light.   
     
     
         6 . A carbon dioxide gas phase reduction method performed by a carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device, the carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device comprising:
 an oxidation tank including an oxidation electrode;   a reduction tank to which carbon dioxide is supplied;   an intermediate tank that is disposed between the oxidation tank and the reduction tank and is capable of having an electrolytic solution poured thereinto and discharging the electrolytic solution;   an ion exchange membrane disposed between the oxidation tank and the intermediate tank;   a gas reduction sheet in which an ion exchange membrane and a reduction electrode are laminated and which is disposed between the reduction tank and the intermediate tank with the ion exchange membrane facing the intermediate tank and the reduction electrode facing the reduction tank; and   a conducting wire connecting the oxidation electrode to the reduction electrode,   wherein the method includes performing:   a first step of pouring the electrolytic solution into the oxidation tank and supplying carbon dioxide to the reduction tank, and   a second step of pouring the electrolytic solution into the intermediate tank only when a voltage is applied between the oxidation electrode and the reduction electrode.   
     
     
         7 . The carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device according to  claim 2 , wherein the oxidation electrode is an n-type semiconductor. 
     
     
         8 . The carbon dioxide gas phase reduction device according to  claim 3 , wherein the oxidation electrode is an n-type semiconductor.