Electrochemical reaction system

Abstract

To provide an electrochemical reaction system in which production of a substance by an electrochemical reaction using an electrode catalyst, and the search and optimization of conditions for the electrode catalyst and / or the electrochemical reaction can be performed at high speed with wide-ranging coverage, while simultaneously performing multiple types of electrochemical reactions using multiple types of electrode catalysts in a single electrochemical cell.SOLUTION: An electrochemical reaction system 1 comprises: an electrochemical cell 10 having a first electrode functioning as a cathode, a second electrode functioning as an anode, and a chamber for performing an electrochemical reaction; a power supply device 20 for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a fluid supply apparatus 30 for supplying a fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction to the chamber. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed by multiple different types of electrode materials in which at least ones of compositions of materials constituting the electrodes and surface structures of the electrodes are different from each other. At least a part of the wall surface of the chamber is formed by multiple types of electrode materials.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-electrode electrochemical reaction system that performs electrochemical reactions using electrode catalysts formed from a plurality of materials with different compositions and surface structures. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technology that utilizes electrochemical reactions using electrode catalysts has been attracting attention. Electrochemical cells equipped with electrode catalysts enable efficient power generation using abundant resources and efficient material conversion using electricity. The use of electrode catalysts is expected to realize energy circulation and material circulation for a sustainable society.

[0003] When material conversion is performed using an electrode catalyst, various types of renewable energy can be used, such as solar energy, wind energy, hydraulic energy, geothermal energy, etc. Electrochemical reactions that perform material conversion include the reduction of carbon dioxide, the reduction of nitrogen, the decomposition of harmful substances, and the production of valuable materials such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and alcohol, and the development of new reactions is also underway.

[0004] Conventionally, the mechanism of electrochemical reactions using electrode catalysts has not been fully elucidated. The catalytic action of an electrode catalyst has reaction selectivity. It is difficult to predict in advance what reactants an electrode catalyst will selectively react with, and what products it will selectively produce. In many cases, the reaction selectivity of an electrode catalyst must be determined experimentally.

[0005] It is also difficult to predict the appropriate type of electrode catalyst, the appropriate type of electrolyte, the appropriate reaction conditions, etc. for the process to be carried out. The search for the types of electrode catalysts, the types of electrolytes, the reaction conditions, etc. has not progressed sufficiently, and reports by researchers are limited. At present, high-throughput screening methods for searching for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reaction conditions have not been fully developed.

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus and method used for combinatorial chemical material development. In this apparatus and method, a combinatorial reactor array having multiple chambers is used. During the reaction period carried out in each chamber, the catalyst bulk structure and catalyst surface structure are measured. The catalyst bulk structure and catalyst surface structure are measured by optical spectroscopy.

[0007] Conventionally, a technique using a probe-type electrochemical flow cell has been known as a means for performing combinatorial screening related to electrochemical reactions. In the probe-type electrochemical flow cell, electrochemical reactions are performed by cyclic voltammetry or the like. Products generated by the electrochemical reactions are quantified by mass spectrometry or the like. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2007-532912 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Currently, there is a demand for the application of electrochemical reactions using electrode catalysts to material conversion, etc. In order to efficiently perform material conversion, etc., it is important to optimize the electrode catalysts used in the electrochemical reactions and the conditions of the electrochemical reactions. In addition, to enable efficient material conversion, etc., there is a demand for technology that can search for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reaction conditions with high throughput.

[0010] In Patent Document 1, the catalyst bulk structure and catalyst surface structure are measured by optical spectroscopy for each chamber. However, there is a problem in that electrochemical operation cannot be performed when using optical spectroscopy. Since the electrochemical potential of the catalyst cannot be changed, the range of search is limited, and it is difficult to sufficiently optimize the conditions of the electrode catalyst and the electrochemical reaction.

[0011] In addition, in the conventional technology using a probe-type electrochemical flow cell, the gaseous products generated in the cell are analyzed. Using an electrochemical flow cell, it is possible to perform electrochemical operations. However, since only the gaseous products discharged from the cell can be quantified, the range of search is limited, and it is difficult to fully optimize the conditions of the electrode catalyst and electrochemical reaction.

[0012] Furthermore, in the technology using electrochemical flow cells, the cells are reused when multiple tests are performed. When high voltage is applied, metal ions from the electrodes may adhere to the inside of the cell. Such impurities may remain in the cell and cause contamination between tests. Furthermore, if a single cell is reused, the electrode catalyst and electrochemical reaction conditions must be changed for each test, which takes time to perform multiple tests. On the other hand, preparing a flow cell for each test incurs equipment costs.

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrochemical reaction system that can simultaneously carry out multiple types of electrochemical reactions using multiple types of electrode catalysts in a single electrochemical cell, and can quickly produce substances through electrochemical reactions using the electrode catalysts, and explore and optimize conditions for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reactions over a wide range of areas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, the electrochemical reaction system of the present invention comprises an electrochemical cell having a first electrode functioning as a cathode, a second electrode functioning as an anode, and a chamber in which an electrochemical reaction occurs between the first electrode and the second electrode, a power supply device that applies a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a fluid supply device that supplies a fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction to the chamber, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed from multiple types of electrode materials that differ from each other in at least one of the composition of the material constituting the electrode and the structure of the electrode's surface, and at least a portion of the wall surface of the chamber is formed from the multiple types of electrode materials. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrochemical reaction system that can simultaneously carry out multiple types of electrochemical reactions using multiple types of electrode catalysts in a single electrochemical cell, and can quickly produce substances through electrochemical reactions using the electrode catalysts, and explore and optimize conditions for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reactions over a wide range of areas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an electrochemical reaction system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of an electrode catalyst having a different material composition. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electrode catalyst having a modified surface structure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an electrochemical reaction system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an electrochemical reaction system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An electrochemical reaction system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each of the following drawings, the same reference numerals are used for common components, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. In each of the following drawings, solid arrows indicate the flow of a fluid mainly composed of liquid. Furthermore, hollow arrows indicate the flow of a fluid mainly composed of gas.

[0018] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an electrochemical reaction system according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrochemical reaction system 1 according to the first embodiment includes an electrochemical cell 10, a power supply device 20, a liquid supply device 30, and a gas-liquid separation mechanism 40.

[0019] The electrochemical reaction system 1 according to the first embodiment is a system that performs an electrochemical reaction using an electrode catalyst. The electrochemical reaction system 1 is a multi-electrode electrochemical reaction system in which a single electrochemical cell 10 is provided with multiple types of electrode catalysts. The electrode catalyst is formed of multiple types of electrode catalyst materials that differ from each other in material composition and surface structure. Multiple types of electrochemical reactions are performed in the single electrochemical cell 10 by the multiple types of electrode catalyst materials.

[0020] The electrochemical reaction system 1 can be used for any application that utilizes an electrochemical reaction. The applications of the electrochemical reaction system 1 include applications for producing substances by electrochemical reactions, applications for processing or decomposing substances by electrochemical reactions, applications for testing or evaluating conditions for electrode catalysts or electrochemical reactions, applications for screening products according to conditions for electrode catalysts or electrochemical reactions, and the like.

[0021] For example, the electrochemical reaction system 1 can be used for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water, reducing carbon dioxide, and reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), etc. It can also be used for synthesizing low-molecular-weight compounds such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and organic compounds such as formic acid, methanol, ethanol, methane, and ethylene.

[0022] The electrochemical cell 10 has a first electrode that functions as a cathode, a second electrode that functions as an anode, and a chamber in which an electrochemical reaction occurs between the first electrode and the second electrode. Inside the electrochemical cell 10, a single or multiple chambers are formed as spaces in which the electrochemical reaction occurs. Each chamber is connected to a supply flow path that supplies a fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction and a discharge flow path that discharges the fluid after the electrochemical reaction.

[0023] The electrochemical cell 10 can include an electrocatalyst as at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. In the electrochemical reaction system 1, only the first electrode may be formed of an electrocatalyst material, only the second electrode may be formed of an electrocatalyst material, or both the first electrode and the second electrode may be formed of an electrocatalyst material.

[0024] The electrochemical cell 10 can be supplied with a fluid containing reactants of an electrochemical reaction. The electrochemical cell 10 generates multiple types of products, such as pure substances and mixtures, from the reactants supplied to the chamber through electrochemical reactions catalyzed by multiple types of electrode catalyst materials. The products can be multiple types that differ from each other in at least one of the chemical composition constituting the substance and the mixed composition constituting the mixture. The fluid containing the products of the electrochemical reaction can be discharged from the chamber of the electrochemical cell 10 and transferred to a gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 or the like. In the chamber, a flow-type reaction can be carried out in which the inflow and outflow of the fluid is continuous.

[0025] In FIG. 1, a total of two chambers are formed inside the electrochemical cell 10. In each chamber, a different electrochemical reaction occurs due to a different type of electrode catalyst. Each chamber is divided into a cathode side space and an anode side space by a separator. Supply flow paths and discharge flow paths can be connected to each space individually. In FIG. 1, two supply flow paths and discharge flow paths are connected to the cathode side and two supply flow paths and discharge flow paths are connected to the anode side for a total of two chambers.

[0026] The power supply 20 applies a voltage for an electrochemical reaction between the electrodes of the electrochemical cell 10. The power supply 20 is composed of a potentiostat or the like. The power supply 20 is electrically connected to a first electrode that functions as a cathode of the electrochemical cell 10, a second electrode that functions as an anode of the electrochemical cell 10, and a reference electrode such as a probe type electrode installed inside the electrochemical cell 10.

[0027] In addition to the function of controlling the electrode potential to a target value, the power supply device 20 preferably has a function of supplying a constant voltage or constant current to the electrochemical cell 10 and a function of sweeping the electrode potential of the electrochemical cell 10. By sweeping the electrode potential, multiple types of electrochemical reactions can be carried out in a single electrochemical cell 10 for each type of electrode catalyst material. This makes it possible to search for conditions for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reactions over a wider range.

[0028] The liquid supply device 30 supplies a liquid involved in an electrochemical reaction to the chamber of the electrochemical cell 10. Examples of the liquid involved in the electrochemical reaction include a raw material liquid containing a reactant of the electrochemical reaction, an electrolyte liquid that mediates the transfer of charges in the electrochemical reaction, and a mixed liquid containing both of these. As the liquid involved in the electrochemical reaction, a liquid of one type of chemical composition or a mixed composition may be supplied, or a liquid of multiple types of chemical compositions or a mixed composition may be supplied.

[0029] The liquid supply device 30 includes a pump for supplying the liquid, a valve for switching the flow path of the liquid, and the like. The liquid supply device 30 can be connected to the electrochemical cell 10 via a pipe, a port, and the like. The liquid involved in the electrochemical reaction may be supplied to each chamber of the electrochemical cell 10 so as to achieve a preset target flow rate, or may be supplied at a variable flow rate that changes within a preset range.

[0030] 1, a first liquid supply container 31a, a second liquid supply container 31b, a third liquid supply container 31c, and a fourth liquid supply container 31d are connected to the liquid supply device 30. Liquids of different types and compositions can be prepared in the first liquid supply container 31a, the second liquid supply container 31b, the third liquid supply container 31c, and the fourth liquid supply container 31d. For example, by preparing a raw material-electrolyte mixed liquid and supplying it to each chamber, an electrochemical reaction can be started by simply applying a voltage between the electrodes.

[0031] In FIG. 1, a total of four liquid supply containers are connected, but any number of containers containing liquids with different chemical compositions or mixture compositions can be connected as the liquid supply containers. The liquids prepared in each liquid supply container may be supplied to each chamber at the same time or at different times. In addition, the liquids may be supplied to each chamber individually or may be mixed together before being supplied. By supplying the liquids in this way, multiple types of combinatorial electrochemical reactions can be carried out in a single electrochemical cell 10.

[0032] The gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 separates the fluid discharged from each chamber of the electrochemical cell 10 into gas and liquid. The gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 can be connected to the electrochemical cell 10 via piping, a port, or the like. In the electrochemical reaction in each chamber, a liquid may be produced from a gas, or a gas may be produced from a liquid. In addition, gas and liquid may flow into each chamber. The gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 separates the mixed fluid discharged from each chamber into gas and liquid, and then the mixed fluid can be collected and analyzed.

[0033] The gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 is preferably provided as a membrane separation device equipped with a hydrophobic porous membrane. The hydrophobic porous membrane is formed of a porous material exhibiting hydrophobicity. The hydrophobic porous membrane can be provided in an appropriate structure such as a flat membrane or a hollow fiber membrane. Examples of materials for the hydrophobic porous membrane include hydrophobic resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, and polypropylene, and materials in which the surface of a porous material is modified to be hydrophobic.

[0034] The hydrophobic porous membrane can prevent the permeation of liquids such as water while allowing the permeation of gas. Even when liquid and gas coexist in the chamber of the electrochemical cell 10, the fluid after the electrochemical reaction can be separated into gas and liquid and then collected and analyzed. This improves the productivity of gaseous substances produced by electrochemical reactions and the accuracy of evaluation of electrode catalysts and electrochemical reaction conditions when liquid and gas coexist.

[0035] 1, a first liquid recovery container 41a, a second liquid recovery container 41b, a third liquid recovery container 41c, and a fourth liquid recovery container 41d are connected to the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40. The first liquid recovery container 41a, the second liquid recovery container 41b, the third liquid recovery container 41c, and the fourth liquid recovery container 41d respectively recover liquid discharged from the cathode side of each chamber and liquid discharged from the anode side of each chamber after being separated from the gas.

[0036] In addition, a first gas recovery pipe 42a, a second gas recovery pipe 42b, a third gas recovery pipe 42c, and a fourth gas recovery pipe 42d are connected to the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40. The first gas recovery pipe 42a, the second gas recovery pipe 42b, the third gas recovery pipe 42c, and the fourth gas recovery pipe 42d respectively transport and recover the gas discharged from the cathode side of each chamber and the gas discharged from the anode side of each chamber after being separated from the liquid.

[0037] 1, a total of four liquid recovery containers and a total of four gas recovery pipes are connected to a total of two chambers divided by a separator, but any number of liquid recovery containers and gas recovery pipes can be connected depending on the number of spaces forming the chambers of the electrochemical cell 10. If the chambers are not divided by separators, one liquid recovery container and one gas recovery pipe can be connected to each chamber. Furthermore, if neither gas nor liquid is discharged from each chamber, the installation of the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 can be omitted.

[0038] Fig. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. Fig. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell in an exploded state. Fig. 2A shows an assembled electrochemical cell 10 provided in an electrochemical reaction system 1. Fig. 2B shows the electrochemical cell 10 disassembled into its components. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the electrochemical cell 10 can be formed as a laminated structure by laminating, in this order, a first electrode member 11 that forms a first electrode that functions as a cathode, a cathode-side flow path forming member 12 that forms part of the wall surface of the chamber and the flow path for the fluid, a separator 13, an anode-side flow path forming member 14 that forms part of the wall surface of the chamber and the flow path for the fluid, and a second electrode member 15 that forms the second electrode that functions as the anode.

[0039] The components of the electrochemical cell 10 can be joined together by any suitable joining method, such as welding, crimping, thermocompression bonding, sintering, diffusion bonding, joining using solder, adhesive, etc., joining using joining parts such as screws, gripping parts, etc. In addition to each component, the electrochemical cell 10 may also include a cell case in which the components are assembled together, a holder that supports the components, and a sealant that seals the gaps between the components.

[0040] 2A and 2B, the electrochemical cell 10 is provided in a structure having a total of two chambers 16. As the chambers 16, a first chamber (16a, 16c) and a second chamber (16b, 16d) are provided in parallel. In the first chamber (16a, 16c) and the second chamber (16b, 16d), different electrochemical reactions are carried out by different types of electrode catalysts.

[0041] The first chamber (16a, 16c) and the second chamber (16b, 16d) are partitioned into a cathode side space and an anode side space by the separator 13. The first chamber (16a, 16c) is formed by a first cathode space 16a and a first anode space 16c. The second chamber (16b, 16d) is formed by a second cathode space 16b and a second anode space 16d.

[0042] 2A and 2B, a supply flow path 10a and a discharge flow path 10b are connected to the cathode side spaces 16a, 16b and the anode side spaces 16c, 16d, respectively, in each chamber 16. The supply flow path 10a and the discharge flow path 10b are formed by through-holes provided in each component of the electrochemical cell 10, or pipes, ports, etc. connected to the electrochemical cell 10.

[0043] The supply flow path 10a is a flow path that supplies a fluid from the outside of the electrochemical cell 10 to the inside of the chamber 16. The supply flow path 10a communicates between the liquid supply device 30 and the spaces 16a, 16b on the cathode side of each chamber 16, and between the liquid supply device 30 and the spaces 16c, 16d on the anode side of each chamber 16.

[0044] The discharge flow path 10b is a flow path that discharges a fluid from inside the chamber 16 to outside the electrochemical cell 10. The discharge flow path 10b communicates between the cathode side spaces 16a, 16b of each chamber 16 and the outside of the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 or the electrochemical reaction system 1, and between the anode side spaces 16c, 16d of each chamber 16 and the outside of the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 or the electrochemical reaction system 1.

[0045] In the electrochemical reaction system 1, a liquid involved in the electrochemical reaction can be supplied from a liquid supply device 30 to the cathode side space 16a and the anode side space 16c of the first chamber (16a, 16c) and the cathode side space 16b and the anode side space 16d of the second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f).

[0046] In the electrochemical cell 10, an electrochemical reaction of the supplied liquid occurs. The electrochemical reaction using an electrode catalyst converts reactants into products. In the electrochemical cell 10, electrochemical reactions using liquid as reactants, electrochemical reactions in the presence of liquid, etc. can be performed.

[0047] After the electrochemical reaction in each chamber 16, the liquid in the cathode side space 16a and the anode side space 16c of the first chamber (16a, 16c) and the liquid in the cathode side space 16b and the anode side space 16d of the second chamber (16b, 16d) can be individually recovered via a gas-liquid separation mechanism 40, etc.

[0048] The first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 can be provided in a flat plate shape using an electrode material or the like. The vertical relationship between the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 is not particularly limited. The first electrode member 11 may be disposed on the upper side of the electrochemical cell 10, and the second electrode member 15 may be disposed on the upper side of the electrochemical cell 10.

[0049] The cathode side flow path forming member 12 and the anode side flow path forming member 14 can be made of an electrically insulating material and have a flat plate shape. The space that forms the chamber 16 can be provided as a through hole of an appropriate shape that penetrates the flow path forming members 12, 14. The through holes of the cathode side flow path forming member 12 and the anode side flow path forming member 14 are blocked by laminating the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15.

[0050] The separator 13 can be provided in the form of a flat plate or flat membrane using an ion exchange membrane or the like. The separator 13 separates the inside of the chamber into a cathode side space and an anode side space. By providing the separator 13, it is possible to suppress mass transfer of reactants, products, etc. and electronic conduction while ensuring ion conductivity.

[0051] 2A and 2B, the supply flow path 10a and the discharge flow path 10b are formed in the first electrode member 11, but they may be formed in the second electrode member 15 as long as the chamber 16 is in communication with the liquid supply device 30, the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40, etc. In addition, the supply flow path 10a and the discharge flow path 10b may be formed on the side surface of the electrochemical cell 10 instead of the upper surface or lower surface of the electrochemical cell 10.

[0052] Furthermore, the separator 13 may be omitted as long as concentration polarization between the cathode side and the anode side can be ensured. When the separator 13 is omitted, the electrochemical cell 10 can be formed by stacking the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member in this order. The first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member, as well as the chamber and flow path formed by them, can be provided in an appropriate shape that allows the flow of a fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction.

[0053] In the electrochemical reaction system 1, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided as an electrode catalyst. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed of a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials that are different from each other in at least one of the composition of the material constituting the electrode and the structure of the surface of the electrode. The plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials may differ only in the composition of the material, may differ only in the structure of the surface, or may differ in both of these.

[0054] In the electrochemical reaction system 1, in a single electrochemical cell 10, at least a part of the wall surface of the chamber 16 is formed of multiple types of electrode catalyst materials. At least one of the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 can be formed of multiple types of electrode catalyst materials. Such a first electrode member 11 or second electrode member 15 can be arranged so as to be exposed to the space forming the chamber 16.

[0055] 2B, a space forming a chamber 16 of the electrochemical cell 10 is provided as a through-hole penetrating the flow path forming members 12, 14. The first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 are stacked on the flow path forming members 12, 14 so as to close the through-hole. Therefore, it is possible to form the chamber 16 whose side surfaces are the flow path forming members 12, 14 and whose upper surface and lower surface are the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15.

[0056] Therefore, by forming the surface sides of the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 with multiple types of electrode catalyst materials, it is possible to construct a multi-electrode electrochemical reaction system in which multiple types of electrode catalysts are provided in a single electrochemical cell 10. By designing the structures of the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 and the shapes of the through-holes, etc., it is possible to change the types of electrode catalyst materials that come into contact with the fluid in the chamber and the order in which the electrode catalyst materials come into contact with the fluid.

[0057] In the electrochemical reaction system 1, the wall surface of one chamber 16 per electrochemical cell 10 may be formed of multiple types of electrode catalyst materials, or the wall surfaces of multiple chambers 16 may be formed of multiple types of electrode catalyst materials. When the wall surface of one chamber 16 is formed of multiple types of electrode catalyst materials, multi-stage reactions for each type of electrode catalyst can be carried out continuously. When the wall surfaces of multiple chambers 16 are formed of multiple types of electrode catalyst materials, multiple parallel reactions for each type of electrode catalyst can be carried out collectively.

[0058] In the electrochemical cell 10, multiple electrochemical reactions for each electrode catalyst material can be performed simultaneously or continuously. The multiple electrode catalyst materials can convert reactants supplied to the chamber 16 into products with different chemical compositions or mixture compositions. In addition, the multiple electrochemical reactions make it possible to search for appropriate reaction conditions and reaction paths, test or evaluate conditions for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reactions, screen materials according to conditions for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reactions, and apply the results to generate a wide variety of optional compounds.

[0059] 1, 2A, and 2B, the electrochemical cell 10 has a total of two chambers separated by a separator, but may have any number of chambers. A supply flow path and a discharge flow path can be connected to each chamber by an appropriate connection position or connection structure. The electrochemical reaction system 1 may have one electrochemical cell 10 or may have multiple electrochemical cells 10.

[0060] The electrode catalyst material forming the electrode catalyst can be formed into a plate, sheet, film, or the like. The electrode catalyst material can be a powder mixture, a compact, or the like, and can be composited with a carrier or a conductive material, or fixed to the surface of the electrode material, as necessary. The surface of the electrode catalyst material may be modified with a promoter that promotes the reaction. As the electrode catalyst material forming the electrode catalyst, any appropriate material can be used as long as it has electrical conductivity and electrochemical catalytic activity.

[0061] Examples of electrode catalyst materials include C, Al, Si, Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Ba, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Ir, Pt, Au, Pb, Bi, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, and alloys and compounds thereof.

[0062] Specific examples of compounds of electrode catalyst materials include TiO2, SrTiO3, SrTiO2N, BaTaO2N, NaTaO3, WO3, ZnO, Fe2O3, CuO, Ta2O5, Bi2O3, SnO2, BiVO4, Y2Ti2O5S2, IrO2, MnO, CoO, etc. Examples of promoters that can be used include Pt, Ru, Rh, Au, Ir, and compounds thereof.

[0063] Examples of the carrier include carbon materials such as activated carbon, graphite, carbon black, and graphene, fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and inorganic materials such as aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, and zeolite. Examples of the conductive material include carbon materials. Examples of the electrode material include stainless steel, copper, nickel, chromium, platinum, silver, gold, aluminum, and glassy carbon.

[0064] Examples of materials for forming the flow path forming member include glass materials such as quartz glass and borosilicate glass, resin materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyester, polyimide, polysiloxane, acrylic resin, and fluororesin, inorganic materials such as silicon, alumina, zirconia, ceria, and silicon carbide, and metal materials such as stainless steel and Hastelloy, etc. The flow path forming member can be electrically insulated by an appropriate method such as forming an oxide film or inserting an insulating material.

[0065] Materials for forming the separator include resin materials and porous materials into which cation exchange groups or anion exchange groups have been introduced. Examples of cation exchange groups include sulfonic acid groups, imide groups, sulfonimide groups, sulfonamide groups, carboxyl groups, carboxymethyl groups, and phosphate groups. Examples of anion exchange groups include quaternary ammonium cation groups, tertiary amino groups such as trimethylamino groups and diethylaminoethyl groups, secondary amino groups, primary amino groups, pyridyl groups, and imidazole groups.

[0066] Examples of the resin material include fluorine-based resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride, styrene-based resins such as styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyimides, polyamideimides, polyethers, polyetherimides, polyetherketones, polyetheretherketones, etc. Examples of the porous material include nonwoven fabrics, porous films, etc.

[0067] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an electrode catalyst with different material compositions. Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of an electrode catalyst in which the composition of the materials constituting the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 is changed along one axial direction. In Fig. 3, the horizontal axis indicates the flow direction of a fluid involved in an electrochemical reaction on the electrode members 11 and 15. The diagonal axis indicates the arrangement direction of the multiple chambers 16 relative to the electrode members 11 and 15. The vertical axis indicates the component fraction of the materials constituting the electrode members 11 and 15.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 3, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode provided as an electrode catalyst can be made of a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials having different compositions. Fig. 3 shows a concentration gradient structure in which the component fraction of the electrode catalyst material is changed along the arrangement direction of the chambers 16. This is an example of a binary alloy such as a Cu-Ag alloy consisting of an X component and a Y component.

[0069] 3, one side of the chambers 16 in the arrangement direction is formed of an electrode catalyst material with 100% X component and 0% Y component. The other side of the chambers 16 in the arrangement direction is formed of an electrode catalyst material with 0% X component and 100% Y component. The middle part of the chambers 16 in the arrangement direction is formed of an intermediate chemical composition including both the X component and the Y component.

[0070] At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrochemical reaction system 1 can be composed of any number of different materials. The electrode catalyst material may be a pure substance, a mixture of a plurality of substances, or a composite such as a supported catalyst in which a plurality of substances are combined into a predetermined structure. The composition of the electrode catalyst material may be changed in terms of chemical composition, the mixed composition of the mixture, or the structural composition of the composite.

[0071] Methods for changing the composition of the material constituting the electrodes include a method in which the components constituting the electrode catalyst material are diffused, penetrated, concentrated, etc. by laser ablation, atomic diffusion heat treatment, etc., a method in which different electrode catalyst materials are patterned on the electrode material by spotting, inkjet method, etc., and a method in which electrode members formed from different electrode catalyst materials are joined together by fusion welding, etc., can be used.

[0072] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an electrode catalyst with a modified surface structure. Fig. 4 shows an example of the configuration of an electrode catalyst in which the surface structures of the first electrode member 11 and the second electrode member 15 are modified along one axial direction. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the flow direction of a fluid involved in an electrochemical reaction on the electrode members 11 and 15. The diagonal axis indicates the arrangement direction of the multiple chambers 16 with respect to the electrode members 11 and 15. The vertical axis indicates quantities related to the surface structure of the electrode members 11 and 15.

[0073] At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode provided as an electrode catalyst can be made of a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials having different surface structures, as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows an electrode having a texture gradient structure in which the surface structure of the electrode catalyst material is changed along the arrangement direction of the chambers 16.

[0074] In Fig. 4, one side of the arrangement direction of the chambers 16 is formed of an electrode catalyst material with a large surface structure. The other side of the arrangement direction of the chambers 16 is formed of an electrode catalyst material with a small surface structure. The middle part of the arrangement direction of the chambers 16 is formed of an electrode catalyst material with an intermediate surface structure.

[0075] At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrochemical reaction system 1 can be configured with any number of types of surface structures. Examples of the electrode surface structure include structures that affect the surface roughness, maximum surface height, surface area, etc., and are specified by the three-dimensional shape of the surface. The electrode surface structure may be a macroscopic structure visible to the naked eye, or a microscopic structure observed under a microscope. In addition, it may be a naturally formed structure or an artificially formed structure.

[0076] Examples of the surface structure of the electrode include unevenness formed by polishing or roughening, microtextures formed by micromachining using a laser or the like, and macroscopic three-dimensional shapes formed by machining, etching, etc. Specific examples of the surface structure include dot-like pits, dot-like protrusions, linear grooves, linear protrusions, hemispherical convexities and concaves, triangular pyramidal convexities and concaves, square pyramidal convexities and concaves, etc. The surface structure may be regularly arranged in rows, matrices, etc., or irregularly arranged.

[0077] The first electrode member and the second electrode member can be formed from a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials with different material compositions as shown in Fig. 3, or a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials with different surface structures as shown in Fig. 4. In the electrochemical reaction system 1, at least one of the first electrode member and the second electrode member is provided in a gradient structure in which at least one of the composition of the material constituting the electrode and the surface structure of the electrode changes in the layer-wise direction of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

[0078] The first electrode member and the second electrode member can be stacked on the flow path forming member so that the arrangement direction of the chambers and the arrangement direction of the types of electrode catalyst materials are aligned in the same direction. The chambers can be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction.

[0079] The composition of the material constituting the electrode catalyst and the surface structure of the electrode catalyst may be provided so as to change continuously along the arrangement direction of the chambers, or may be provided so as to change stepwise along the arrangement direction of the chambers. The direction of change along the arrangement direction of the chambers is not limited to one direction. For example, in addition to the distribution in which the maximum value is located at one end as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a mountain-shaped distribution in which the maximum value is located in the middle, a valley-shaped distribution in which the maximum value is located at both ends, or a distribution with no regularity may be provided.

[0080] The composition of the material constituting the electrode catalyst and the surface structure of the electrode catalyst may be changed in one axial direction or in two axial directions, for example, in the direction parallel to the flow direction of the fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction in addition to the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0081] The composition of the material constituting the electrode catalyst and the surface structure of the electrode catalyst may be changed in units of cells that divide the surface of the electrode catalyst into a plurality of cells. The material composition and surface structure of each cell may be changed regularly, such as in ascending or descending order, or may be changed irregularly. Each cell may be electrically independent, or may be electrically connected to each other. The material composition and surface structure do not need to be different in all cells, and some cells may be identical.

[0082] According to such an electrochemical reaction system 1, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed of a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials, and at least a part of the wall surface of the chamber is formed of a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials, so that a plurality of types of electrochemical reactions can be performed in a single electrochemical cell. Unlike the case of using a conventional probe-type electrochemical flow cell, both liquid and gas can be collected after the electrochemical reaction. In addition, since the reuse of the electrode catalyst can be avoided, contamination due to remaining impurities can be suppressed. In addition, in the chamber where the electrode catalyst material is exposed, multi-stage reactions using different types of electrode catalyst materials and multiple parallel reactions using different types of electrode catalyst materials can be realized with high throughput. Therefore, multiple types of electrochemical reactions can be simultaneously performed using multiple types of electrode catalysts in a single electrochemical cell, and the generation of multiple types of substances by electrochemical reactions using electrode catalysts, and the search and optimization of conditions for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reactions can be performed quickly for a wide range of substances and conditions.

[0083] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. Fig. 5 shows a structural example relating to the shape of the chamber 16 of the electrochemical cell 10 provided in the electrochemical reaction system 1. In Fig. 5, reference numeral 111 denotes a cathode-side supply flow path for supplying catholyte, reference numeral 112 denotes an anode-side supply flow path for supplying anolyte, reference numeral 121 denotes a cathode-side discharge flow path for discharging catholyte, and reference numeral 122 denotes an anode-side discharge flow path for discharging anolyte.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 5, the chambers 16 can be provided linearly to form a straight flow path. The chambers 16 form independent spaces without communicating with each other. The chambers 16 can be arranged in parallel to each other. The space forming the linear chambers 16 is arranged to extend in a single axial direction parallel to the layer direction of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

[0085] The types of electrode catalyst materials may be changed in one axial direction parallel to the layer direction of the electrochemical cell 10, or in two axial directions parallel to the layer direction. The linear chambers 16 can be arranged along the arrangement direction of the types of electrode catalyst materials so that the upstream side and the downstream side have different material compositions and surface structures. The width and length of the linear chambers 16 are not particularly limited.

[0086] A cathode side supply flow path 111 and an anode side supply flow path 112 can be connected to one end of each chamber 16, and a cathode side discharge flow path 121 and a cathode side discharge flow path 122 can be connected to the other end of each chamber 16. The cathode side supply flow path 111 and the cathode side discharge flow path 122, and the anode side supply flow path 112 and the anode side supply flow path 112 can be connected to both the front and back sides of the electrochemical cell 10 so as to sandwich a separator parallel to the main surface of the electrochemical cell 10.

[0087] 5, by aligning the arrangement direction of the chambers 16 with the arrangement direction of the types of electrode catalyst materials, it is possible to use different types of electrode catalyst materials for each chamber 16. Therefore, multiple types of electrochemical reactions with different types of electrode catalysts and reaction conditions can be carried out in each of the chambers 16 arranged in parallel.

[0088] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. Fig. 6 shows a structural example of the shape of the chamber 16 of the electrochemical cell 10 provided in the electrochemical reaction system 1. In Fig. 6, reference numeral 111 denotes a cathode-side supply flow path for supplying catholyte, reference numeral 112 denotes an anode-side supply flow path for supplying anolyte, reference numeral 121 denotes a cathode-side discharge flow path for discharging catholyte, and reference numeral 122 denotes an anode-side discharge flow path for discharging anolyte. Arrows indicate the flow of fluids involved in the electrochemical reaction before and after the reaction.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 6, the chambers 16 can be arranged in a matrix with a plurality of linear spaces intersecting to form a linear flow path. The plurality of chambers 16 form continuous spaces that communicate with each other. The spaces forming the matrix of chambers 16 can be arranged to extend in a plurality of axial directions parallel to the layer directions of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

[0090] The types of electrode catalyst materials can be changed in two axial directions parallel to the main surfaces of the electrochemical cell 10. The matrix-shaped chambers 16 can be arranged along the direction of arrangement of the types of electrode catalyst materials such that the spaces constituting each row, the spaces constituting each column, and the intersection regions where the rows and columns intersect are in contact with materials having different compositions or surface structures. The number of rows and columns of the matrix-shaped chambers 16 is not particularly limited.

[0091] The space constituting each row can be connected at one end to a cathode-side supply flow path 111 and at the other end to a cathode-side discharge flow path 121. The space constituting each column can be connected at one end to an anode-side supply flow path 112 and at the other end to an anode-side discharge flow path 122. The cathode-side supply flow path 111 and the cathode-side discharge flow path 122, and the anode-side supply flow path 112 and the anode-side supply flow path 112 can be connected to both the front and back sides of the electrochemical cell 10, sandwiching a separator parallel to the main surface of the electrochemical cell 10.

[0092] In the matrix-shaped chambers 16, a fluid involved in an electrochemical reaction can be supplied to any selected row or column among the spaces constituting each row or the spaces constituting each column. The spaces constituting each row or the spaces constituting each column may be provided with a slope, a rib, a partial partition, or the like so that the fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction flows in one direction. The fluid on the cathode side and the fluid on the anode side can be reacted, for example, in an intersection region where the rows and columns intersect.

[0093] 6, by aligning the arrangement direction of the chambers 16 with the arrangement direction of the types of electrode catalyst materials, the spaces constituting each row, the spaces constituting each column, and the intersection regions where the rows and columns intersect can be made of different types of electrode catalyst materials. Therefore, a plurality of electrochemical reactions with different types of electrode catalysts and reaction conditions can be carried out in each of the chambers 16 arranged in a matrix. Since the chambers 16 are arranged in a matrix, the number of inlets and outlets and the flow path area in a plan view can be reduced when reacting various fluids with each other, making the electrochemical cell 10 compact.

[0094] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. Fig. 7 shows a structural example relating to the shape of the chamber 16 of the electrochemical cell 10 provided in the electrochemical reaction system 1. In Fig. 7, reference numeral 111 denotes a cathode-side supply flow path for supplying catholyte, reference numeral 112 denotes an anode-side supply flow path for supplying anolyte, reference numeral 121 denotes a cathode-side discharge flow path for discharging catholyte, and reference numeral 122 denotes an anode-side discharge flow path for discharging anolyte.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 7, the chamber 16 may be provided in a curved shape that forms a flow path through two axial directions. The multiple chambers 16 form independent spaces without communicating with each other. The curved chambers 16 may be arranged in parallel with each other or may be arranged at different positions from each other. The spaces that form the curved chambers 16 may be arranged to extend in multiple axial directions that are parallel to the layer directions of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

[0096] The type of electrode catalyst material can be changed in two axial directions parallel to the main surface of the electrochemical cell 10. The curved chamber 16 can extend to a region containing different types of electrode catalyst material so that the upstream side and downstream side have different material compositions and surface structures. The shape and extension direction of the curved chamber 16 are not particularly limited.

[0097] A cathode side supply flow path 111 and an anode side supply flow path 112 can be connected to one end of each chamber 16, and a cathode side discharge flow path 121 and a cathode side discharge flow path 122 can be connected to the other end of each chamber 16. The cathode side supply flow path 111 and the cathode side discharge flow path 122, and the anode side supply flow path 112 and the anode side supply flow path 112 can be connected to both the front and back sides of the electrochemical cell 10 so as to sandwich a separator parallel to the main surface of the electrochemical cell 10.

[0098] 7, by matching the arrangement direction or extension direction of the chambers 16 with the arrangement direction of the types of electrode catalyst materials, the types of electrode catalyst materials for each chamber 16 can be different from each other. Therefore, a plurality of electrochemical reactions with different types of electrode catalysts and reaction conditions can be performed for each curved chamber 16 and for each extension direction of the chambers 16. In addition, since the type of electrode catalyst material differs depending on the extension direction of the chambers 16, various multi-stage reactions can be performed for each chamber 16.

[0099] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. Fig. 8 shows a structural example relating to the shape of the chamber 16 of the electrochemical cell 10 provided in the electrochemical reaction system 1. In Fig. 8, reference numeral 111 denotes a cathode-side supply flow path for supplying catholyte, reference numeral 112 denotes an anode-side supply flow path for supplying anolyte, reference numeral 121 denotes a cathode-side discharge flow path for discharging catholyte, and reference numeral 122 denotes an anode-side discharge flow path for discharging anolyte.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 8, the chambers 16 can be arranged in a matrix with multiple spaces arranged in two axial directions. The multiple chambers 16 form independent spaces that do not communicate with each other. The spaces forming the chambers 16 arranged in a matrix can be arranged to extend in one axial direction parallel to the layer direction of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

[0101] The types of electrode catalyst materials can be changed in two axial directions parallel to the main surface of the electrochemical cell 10. The chambers 16 arranged in a matrix can be arranged along the direction of arrangement of the types of electrode catalyst materials such that the spaces constituting each row and the spaces constituting each column are in contact with materials having different compositions or surface structures. The number of rows and columns and the shape of the chambers 16 arranged in a matrix are not particularly limited.

[0102] A cathode side supply flow path 111 and an anode side supply flow path 112 can be connected to one end of each chamber 16, and a cathode side discharge flow path 121 and a cathode side discharge flow path 122 can be connected to the other end of each chamber 16. The cathode side supply flow path 111 and the cathode side discharge flow path 122, and the anode side supply flow path 112 and the anode side supply flow path 112 can be connected to both the front and back sides of the electrochemical cell 10 so as to sandwich a separator parallel to the main surface of the electrochemical cell 10.

[0103] The chambers 16 arranged in a matrix can be supplied with a fluid involved in an electrochemical reaction by selecting any row or column of the chambers 16 constituting each row or the chambers 16 constituting each column. The chambers 16 arranged in a matrix can also be connected in series or in parallel. The chambers 16 connected to each other may or may not be adjacent to each other.

[0104] 8, by aligning the arrangement direction of the chambers 16 with the arrangement direction of the types of electrode catalyst materials, the chambers 16 constituting each row and the chambers 16 constituting each column can have different types of electrode catalyst materials. Therefore, multiple types of electrochemical reactions with different types of electrode catalysts and reaction conditions can be performed for each of the chambers 16 arranged in a matrix or for each of the connection paths between the chambers 16. Since the type of electrode catalyst material can be changed depending on the connection path between the chambers 16, various multi-stage reactions can be performed for each connection path.

[0105] <Second embodiment> FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an electrochemical reaction system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the electrochemical reaction system 2 according to the second embodiment includes an electrochemical cell 10, a power supply device 20, a liquid supply device 30, and a gas-liquid separation mechanism 40, similar to the electrochemical reaction system 1 described above.

[0106] The electrochemical reaction system 2 according to the second embodiment is a system that performs an electrochemical reaction using an electrode catalyst, similar to the electrochemical reaction system 1. The electrochemical reaction system 2 differs from the electrochemical reaction system 1 in that it additionally includes a gas supply device 50. Other major components of the electrochemical reaction system 2 are similar to those of the electrochemical reaction system 1.

[0107] The gas supply device 50 supplies a gas involved in an electrochemical reaction to the chamber of the electrochemical cell 10. Examples of the gas involved in the electrochemical reaction include a raw material gas containing a reactant of the electrochemical reaction, a pH adjusting gas for adjusting the pH of the electrochemical reaction, and an atmospheric gas of the electrochemical reaction such as an inert gas. The gas involved in the electrochemical reaction may be a gas having one chemical composition or a mixed composition, or a gas having multiple chemical compositions or a mixed composition. The gas involved in the electrochemical reaction may be supplied alone, or may be supplied after being mixed with a liquid at an appropriate mixing ratio.

[0108] The gas supply device 50 includes a pump for supplying gas, a valve for switching a gas flow path, and the like. The gas supply device 50 can be connected to the electrochemical cell 10 via a pipe, a port, and the like. The gas involved in the electrochemical reaction may be supplied to each chamber of the electrochemical cell 10 so as to achieve a preset target flow rate, or may be supplied at a variable flow rate that changes within a preset range.

[0109] 5, a first gas supply pipe 51a, a second gas supply pipe 51b, a third gas supply pipe 51c, and a fourth gas supply pipe 51d are connected to a gas supply device 50. Gases different in type and composition can be supplied from the outside to the first gas supply pipe 51a, the second gas supply pipe 51b, the third gas supply pipe 51c, and the fourth gas supply pipe 51d.

[0110] In FIG. 5, a total of four gas supply pipes are connected, but any number of pipes supplying gases with different chemical compositions or mixture compositions can be connected as the gas supply pipes. The gases supplied from each gas supply pipe may be supplied to each chamber at the same time or at different times. Also, the gases may be supplied to each chamber individually, may be mixed together, or may be mixed with a liquid before being supplied. By supplying a single gas, a mixed gas, or a gas-liquid mixed fluid, a plurality of electrochemical reactions can be performed in a single electrochemical cell 10 in a combinatorial chemical manner.

[0111] According to such an electrochemical reaction system 2, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed of a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials, at least a part of the wall surface of the chamber is formed of a plurality of types of electrode catalyst materials, and liquid and gas are supplied to the electrochemical cell, so that a plurality of types of electrochemical reactions involving liquid and gas can be performed in a single electrochemical cell. Unlike the case of using a conventional probe-type electrochemical flow cell, it is possible to adjust the gas conditions, and both the liquid and the gas can be collected after the electrochemical reaction. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously perform a plurality of types of electrochemical reactions involving liquid and gas using a plurality of types of electrode catalysts in a single electrochemical cell, and to rapidly perform the generation of a plurality of types of substances by electrochemical reactions using electrode catalysts, and the search and optimization of conditions for electrode catalysts and electrochemical reactions for a wide range of substances and conditions.

[0112] Fig. 10 is an exploded view showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. Fig. 10 shows an electrochemical cell 10A provided in an electrochemical reaction system 2, exploded into its constituent elements. Reference symbol D is a partial view showing an enlarged schematic view of a part of the gas diffusion electrode member 17. As shown in FIG. 10, the electrochemical reaction system 2 can also include a gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A having a gas diffusion electrode member 17.

[0113] The gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A can be formed as a laminated structure by laminating, in this order, a first electrode member 11 forming a first electrode that functions as a cathode, a cathode-side flow path forming member 12 that forms part of the wall surface of the chamber and the flow path for the fluid, a separator 13, an anode-side flow path forming member 14 that forms part of the wall surface of the chamber and the flow path for the fluid, a gas diffusion electrode member 17 that forms a second electrode that functions as an anode, and a gas flow path forming member 18.

[0114] The components of the gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A can be joined together by an appropriate joining method such as welding, pressure bonding, thermocompression bonding, sintering, diffusion bonding, joining using solder, adhesive, etc., joining using joining parts such as screws, gripping parts, etc. In addition to each component, the gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A may also include a cell case in which the components are assembled together, a holder that supports the components, and a sealant that seals the gaps between the components.

[0115] 10, a gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A is provided in a structure having a total of two chambers 16. As the chambers 16, a first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e) and a second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f) are provided in parallel. In the first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e) and the second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f), different electrochemical reactions are carried out by different types of electrode catalysts.

[0116] The first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e) and the second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f) are divided by the separator 13 into a cathode side space and an anode side space. The gas diffusion electrode member 17 divides the space into a liquid side space and a gas side space. The first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e) is formed by the cathode side liquid space 16a, the anode side liquid space 16c, and the anode side gas space 16e. The second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f) is formed by the cathode side liquid space 16b, the anode side liquid space 16d, and the anode side gas space 16f.

[0117] 10, a supply flow path 10a and a discharge flow path 10b are connected to the cathode-side liquid spaces 16a, 16b and the anode-side liquid spaces 16c, 16d in each chamber 16. The supply flow path 10a and the discharge flow path 10b are formed by through-holes provided in each component of the electrochemical cell 10A, or pipes, ports, etc. connected to the electrochemical cell 10A.

[0118] Further, a gas supply flow path 10c and a gas discharge flow path 10d are connected to the anode side gas space 16e and the anode side gas space 16e, respectively, in each chamber 16. The gas supply flow path 10c and the gas discharge flow path 10d are formed by through holes provided in each component of the electrochemical cell 10A, or pipes, ports, and the like connected to the electrochemical cell 10A.

[0119] The gas supply flow path 10c is a flow path that supplies gas from the outside of the electrochemical cell 10A to the inside of the chamber 16. The gas supply flow path 10c communicates between the liquid supply device 30 and the gas spaces 16e and 16f of each chamber 16.

[0120] The gas discharge flow path 10d is a flow path that discharges gas from the inside of the chamber 16 to the outside of the electrochemical cell 10A. The gas discharge flow path 10d connects the gas spaces 16e, 16f of each chamber 16 to the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 and the outside of the electrochemical reaction system 2.

[0121] In the electrochemical reaction system 2, a liquid involved in the electrochemical reaction can be supplied from a liquid supply device 30 to the liquid space 16a on the cathode side and the liquid space 16c on the anode side of the first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e) and the liquid space 16b on the cathode side and the liquid space 16d on the anode side of the second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f). Also, a gas involved in the electrochemical reaction can be supplied from a gas supply device 50 to the gas space 16e of the first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e) and the gas space 16f of the second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f).

[0122] In the gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A, gas supplied to each chamber 16 permeates the gas diffusion electrode member 17, and an electrochemical reaction involving liquid and gas occurs. The electrochemical reaction using an electrode catalyst converts the liquid or gas reactants into products. The electrochemical cell 10A can perform electrochemical reactions involving liquid and gas as reactants, electrochemical reactions of liquid in the presence of gas, and the like.

[0123] After the electrochemical reaction in each chamber 16, the liquid and gas in the liquid space 16a on the cathode side and the liquid space 16c on the anode side of the first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e), the liquid and gas in the liquid space 16b on the cathode side and the liquid space 16d on the anode side of the second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f), the gas in the gas space 16e of the first chamber (16a, 16c, 16e), and the gas in the gas space 16f of the second chamber (16b, 16d, 16f) can be individually recovered via a gas-liquid separation mechanism 40, etc.

[0124] The gas diffusion electrode member 17 can be provided in the form of a flat plate or flat membrane made of a gas-permeable porous material. The gas diffusion electrode member 17 functions as an electrode and allows the flow of gas by diffusion. The gas diffusion electrode member 17 can be made of a material that blocks the flow of liquid. The gas diffusion electrode member 17 can be arranged so that the space on the gas side is at the top. The gas diffusion electrode member 17 can partition the chamber 16 into a space through which liquid flows and a space through which gas flows.

[0125] When the gas diffusion electrode member 17 is formed as an electrode catalyst, it can be formed by a gas diffusion layer 17a made of a porous forming material and a catalyst layer 17b made of a catalyst material, as shown in partial drawing D. The gas diffusion layer 17a can be formed in an appropriate structure such as a nonwoven fabric, a porous plate, or a porous sheet using a hydrophobic material. The catalyst layer 17b can be laminated on the surface of the gas diffusion layer 17a. The catalyst layer 17b can be formed by forming a film of a catalyst material in an appropriate shape such as a sphere or granule, in which an electrode catalyst material is supported on a carrier as necessary. When the catalyst layer is gas permeable, such as a porous one, it is not necessary to use a gas diffusion layer, and the catalyst layer alone can be used as a gas diffusion electrode.

[0126] Examples of the material for the gas diffusion layer 17a include porous carbon materials such as carbon sheets and carbon cloths, porous fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and porous metal materials such as mesh metals, punched metals, and expanded metals. The material for the catalyst layer 17b may be the electrode catalyst material for forming the electrode member. The porous metal material may be stainless steel, copper, nickel, chromium, platinum, silver, gold, aluminum, or the like. A current collector made of such a metal material may be laminated on the gas diffusion layer 17a or the catalyst layer 17b.

[0127] When the gas diffusion electrode member 17 is formed as an electrode catalyst, it can be provided with a gradient structure in which at least one of the material composition and the electrode surface structure changes. The material composition and the surface structure can be changed along one or two axial directions parallel to the layer direction. For example, the type and concentration of the catalyst material forming the catalyst layer 17b, and the density and thickness of the catalyst layer 17b can be changed by a spotting method, an inkjet method, or the like.

[0128] The gas flow path forming member 18 can be provided in the form of a flat plate made of a non-gas-permeable electrically insulating material. The space forming the chamber 16 can be provided as a recess of an appropriate shape. The recess of the gas flow path forming member 18 is covered by laminating the gas diffusion electrode member 17. The material of the gas flow path forming member 18 can be the same as that of the flow path forming member.

[0129] 10, the gas diffusion electrode member 17 forms the second electrode that functions as an anode, but the first electrode that functions as a cathode may also be formed. When the first electrode is formed of the gas diffusion electrode member 17, the gas flow path forming member 18 can be provided on the outside of the first electrode. In addition, both the first electrode and the second electrode may be formed of the gas diffusion electrode member 17.

[0130] Furthermore, the separator 13 may be omitted as long as concentration polarization between the cathode side and the anode side can be ensured. When the separator 13 is omitted, the electrochemical cell 10A can be formed by stacking an electrode member, a flow path forming member, a gas diffusion electrode member, and a flow path forming member in this order. The electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the gas diffusion electrode member, as well as the chambers and flow paths formed by them, can be provided in any suitable shape that allows the flow of a fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction.

[0131] According to such a gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A, since the gas diffusion electrode can be used, electrochemical reactions between gas and liquid can be efficiently performed. Since gas and liquid can be brought into contact with the electrode catalyst provided in the gradient structure alone, multiple types of combinatorial electrochemical reactions involving gas and liquid can be efficiently performed with a single electrochemical cell 10A.

[0132] Fig. 11 is an exploded view showing an example of the structure of an electrochemical cell. Fig. 11 shows an electrochemical cell 10B provided in an electrochemical reaction system 2, exploded into its constituent elements. Reference symbol D is a partial view showing an enlarged schematic view of a part of the gas diffusion electrode member 17. As shown in FIG. 11, the electrochemical reaction system 2 can also include an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) type electrochemical cell 10B having gas diffusion electrode members 17 on both electrode sides.

[0133] The MEA type electrochemical cell 10B can be formed as a laminated structure by stacking, in this order, a first gas flow path forming member 18A on the cathode side, a first gas diffusion electrode member 17A forming a gas diffusion type first electrode functioning as the cathode, a separator 13, a second gas diffusion electrode member 17B forming a gas diffusion type second electrode functioning as the anode, and a second gas flow path forming member 18B on the anode side.

[0134] The components of the MEA electrochemical cell 10B can be joined together by any suitable joining method, such as welding, compression bonding, thermocompression bonding, sintering, diffusion bonding, joining using solder or adhesive, joining using joining parts such as screws or gripping parts, etc. In addition to each component, the MEA electrochemical cell 10B may also include a cell case in which the components are assembled together, a holder for supporting the components, and a sealant for sealing the gaps between the components.

[0135] 11, the MEA-type electrochemical cell 10B is provided in a structure having a total of two chambers 16. As the chambers 16, a first chamber (16g, 16i) and a second chamber (16h, 16j) are provided in parallel. In the first chamber (16g, 16i) and the second chamber (16h, 16j), different electrochemical reactions are carried out by different types of electrode catalysts.

[0136] The first chamber (16g, 16i) and the second chamber (16h, 16j) are divided into a cathode side space and an anode side space by an MEA in which a separator 13 and a gas diffusion electrode member 17 are laminated. The first chamber (16g, 16i) is formed by a cathode side gas space 16g and an anode side gas space 16i. The second chamber (16h, 16j) is formed by a cathode side gas space 16h and an anode side gas space 16j.

[0137] 11, a gas supply flow path 10c and a gas exhaust flow path 10d are connected to the cathode-side gas spaces 16g, 16h and the anode-side gas spaces 16i, 16j of each chamber 16. The gas supply flow path 10c communicates between the liquid supply device 30 and the gas spaces 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j of each chamber 16. The gas exhaust flow path 10d communicates between the gas spaces 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j of each chamber 16 and the gas-liquid separation mechanism 40 or the outside of the electrochemical reaction system 2.

[0138] In the electrochemical reaction system 2, gas involved in the electrochemical reaction can be supplied from a gas supply device 50 to the gas space 16g on the cathode side and the gas space 16i on the anode side of the first chamber (16g, 16i), and the gas space 16h on the cathode side and the gas space 16j on the anode side of the second chamber (16h, 16j).

[0139] In the MEA-type electrochemical cell 10B, gas supplied to each chamber 16 permeates through the gas diffusion electrode member 17, and an electrochemical reaction occurs between the gases. The gaseous reactants are converted into products by electrochemical reactions using an electrode catalyst. In the electrochemical cell 10B, an electrochemical reaction can be carried out using gases as reactants.

[0140] After the electrochemical reaction in each chamber 16, the gas in the cathode side gas space 16g and the anode side gas space 16i of the first chamber (16g, 16i) and the gas in the cathode side gas space 16h and the anode side gas space 16j of the second chamber (16h, 16j) can be individually collected. When liquid is generated by a reaction between gases, it may be collected via a gas-liquid separation mechanism 40.

[0141] The first gas diffusion electrode member 17A and the second gas diffusion electrode member 17B can be made of a gas-permeable porous material in the form of a flat plate or flat membrane, similar to the gas diffusion electrode member 17. The gas diffusion electrode members 17A and 17B can efficiently carry out electrochemical reactions with gases that have low solubility in liquid.

[0142] As shown in partial views D1 and D2, the first gas diffusion electrode member 17A and the second gas diffusion electrode member 17B can be formed by a gas diffusion layer 17a made of a porous material and a catalyst layer 17b made of a catalyst material. The gas diffusion layer 17a is preferably disposed on the side of the gas flow path forming members 18A and 18B. The catalyst layer 17b is preferably disposed on the side of the separator 13. With such an arrangement, the efficiency of charge transfer between the cathode side and the anode side and the efficiency of gas contact with the catalyst material can be improved. When the catalyst layer is gas permeable, such as being porous, only the catalyst layer may be used as the gas diffusion electrode.

[0143] At least one of the first gas diffusion electrode member 17A and the second gas diffusion electrode member 17B can be provided with a gradient structure in which at least one of the material composition and the surface structure of the electrode changes. The material composition and the surface structure can be changed along one or two axes parallel to the layer direction. For example, the type and concentration of the catalyst material forming the catalyst layer 17b, and the density and thickness of the catalyst layer 17b can be changed by a spotting method, an inkjet method, or the like.

[0144] The first gas flow path forming member 18A and the second gas flow path forming member 18B can be provided in the form of a flat plate made of a non-gas-permeable electrically insulating material. The space forming the chamber 16 can be provided as a recess of an appropriate shape. The recesses of the gas flow path forming members 18A and 18B are covered by laminating the gas diffusion electrode members 17A and 17B. The gas flow path forming members 18A and 18B can be made of the same material as the flow path forming members.

[0145] The separator 13 may be omitted as long as concentration polarization between the cathode side and the anode side can be ensured. When the separator 13 is omitted, the electrochemical cell 10B can be formed by stacking a first flow path forming member, a first gas diffusion electrode member, a second gas diffusion electrode member, and a second flow path forming member in this order. The flow path forming member and the gas diffusion electrode member, as well as the chamber and flow path formed by them, can be provided in an appropriate shape that allows the flow of a fluid involved in the electrochemical reaction.

[0146] Such an MEA-type electrochemical cell 10B can use gas diffusion electrodes at both electrodes, so that gas electrochemical reactions can be carried out efficiently. Since gas can be brought into contact with the electrode catalyst provided in the gradient structure alone, a single electrochemical cell 10B can efficiently carry out combinatorial electrochemical reactions involving gases.

[0147] In the gas diffusion electrode type electrochemical cell 10A and the MEA type electrochemical cell 10B, each chamber 16 is partitioned into a space for liquid and a space for gas, and each chamber 16 in contact with the gas diffusion electrode may be supplied with only gas, only liquid, or a mixture of gas and liquid. Also, different fluids may be supplied to each of the chambers 16 arranged in parallel. When supplying a liquid such as an aqueous solution, it is preferable to make the gas diffusion layer 17a hydrophobic.

[0148] <Third embodiment> FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an electrochemical reaction system according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the electrochemical reaction system 3 according to the third embodiment includes an electrochemical cell 10, a power supply device 20, a liquid supply device 30, and a gas-liquid separation mechanism 40, similar to the electrochemical reaction system 1 described above.

[0149] The electrochemical reaction system 3 according to the third embodiment is a system that performs an electrochemical reaction using an electrode catalyst, similar to the electrochemical reaction system 1. The electrochemical reaction system 3 differs from the electrochemical reaction system 1 in that it additionally includes an optimization computer 60. The other main components of the electrochemical reaction system 3 are similar to those of the electrochemical reaction system 1.

[0150] In the electrochemical reaction system 3, the liquid discharged from the chamber of the electrochemical cell 10 is transferred to the liquid analysis device 70. Also, the gas discharged from the chamber of the electrochemical cell 10 is transferred to the gas analysis device 80. Fluids from the chambers using different electrode catalysts are transferred to the liquid analysis device 70 and the gas analysis device 80.

[0151] The liquid analyzer 70 quantifies the amount of substances contained in the liquid discharged from the chambers of the electrochemical cell 10. The gas analyzer 80 quantifies the amount of substances contained in the gas discharged from the chambers of the electrochemical cell 10. The liquid analyzer 70 and the gas analyzer 80 determine the amounts and composition of components contained in the fluid after the electrochemical reaction for each chamber in which a different electrode catalyst is used. The analysis results by the liquid analyzer 70 and the gas analyzer 80 are input to the optimization calculator 60.

[0152] The optimization computer 60 performs optimization calculation processing to optimize the electrode catalyst used in the electrochemical reaction and the conditions of the electrochemical reaction. The optimization computer 60 is configured with hardware such as a computer. The optimization calculation processing is realized by the optimization computer 60 executing a mathematical optimization program related to the type of electrode catalyst used in the electrochemical reaction and the conditions of the electrochemical reaction.

[0153] The optimization computer 60 is composed of an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), storage devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, and a flash memory, input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, output devices such as an LCD display and an organic EL display, and a control device.

[0154] The optimization computer 60 can be communicatively connected to the liquid analyzer 70 and the gas analyzer 80. Analysis results indicating the amounts and composition of components of the liquid recovered from the electrochemical cell 10 and analysis results indicating the amounts and composition of components of the gas recovered from the electrochemical cell 10 can be input to the optimization computer 60, for example, via a communication line.

[0155] Furthermore, the optimization computer 60 can be connected to the controller of the power supply device 20, the controller of the liquid supply device 30, and the controller of the gas supply device 50 via control signal lines. The optimization computer 60 can output control signals based on the results of the optimization calculations to each controller to control the power supply device 20, the liquid supply device 30, and the gas supply device 50.

[0156] The optimization computer 60 collects the results of the electrochemical reaction for each chamber of the electrochemical cell 10 using a plurality of different types of electrode catalyst materials from the liquid analyzer 70 and the gas analyzer 80. Then, an optimization calculation is performed based on the analysis results for each chamber of the electrochemical cell 10. In the optimization calculation, mathematical optimization is performed regarding the type of electrode catalyst used in the electrochemical reaction and the conditions of the electrochemical reaction.

[0157] Based on the results of the optimization calculation, the optimization computer 60 can control the power supply device 20, the liquid supply device 30, and the gas supply device 50 so that the type of electrode catalyst used in the electrochemical reaction and the conditions of the electrochemical reaction are appropriate. By controlling the feedback of the optimization calculation, the type of chamber used in the electrochemical reaction, the connection path of the chambers, the conditions of the electrochemical reaction, etc. are changed.

[0158] The optimization calculation can be formulated as a mathematical optimization problem with the type of chamber used in the electrochemical reaction, the connection path of the chambers, the conditions of the electrochemical reaction, etc. as the manipulated variables. The optimization calculation can be performed by an appropriate algorithm. The optimization calculation finds a solution that maximizes or minimizes a predetermined objective variable. The optimization calculation may or may not have constraint conditions added.

[0159] In the optimization calculation, for example, a neural network can be constructed using a group of data obtained by dividing the chamber into groups for each electrode catalyst as nodes. In addition, a linear regression calculation can be performed by treating the group of data obtained by dividing the chamber into groups for each electrode catalyst and the group of data on the conditions of the electrochemical reaction as data showing a linear relationship.

[0160] As the manipulated variables, it is possible to set, in binary form, which of the chambers equipped with different types of electrode catalysts to use, which connection between the chambers to use, etc. In addition, as the conditions for the electrochemical reaction, it is possible to set the chemical composition or mixture composition of the liquid supplied to the chamber, the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the chamber, the time for supplying the liquid to the chamber, the chemical composition or mixture composition of the gas supplied to the chamber, the flow rate of the gas supplied to the chamber, the time for supplying the gas to the chamber, the voltage value applied between the electrodes, the current value applied between the electrodes, etc.

[0161] The objective variables can be set to the amount of product produced by the electrochemical reaction, the production ratio of the product produced by the electrochemical reaction, the yield of the product produced by the electrochemical reaction, the reaction rate of the reactants in the electrochemical reaction, the amount of energy required to produce the product, etc. As the constraints, any upper limit value or any lower limit value can be set for these variables. By setting such objective variables, it is possible to ensure selectivity regarding the chemical composition or mixture composition of the product, as well as high production volume and production efficiency of the product.

[0162] In the optimization calculation, in addition to the manipulated variables and the objective variables, intermediate variables between the manipulated variables and the objective variables may be set. As the intermediate variables, variables that depend on the manipulated variables and the objective variables and have a direction from the manipulated variables to the objective variables can be set. Examples of the intermediate variables include variables related to the voltage-current characteristics that show the relationship between the voltage and current between the electrodes, and variables related to components that adsorb onto the surface of the electrode catalyst, such as ions derived from the fluid.

[0163] The optimization computer 60 may update the operation variables of the optimization calculation, the objective function representing the objective variables, and the function representing the intermediate variables by machine learning. For example, new analysis results with different chamber types, chamber connection paths, chamber extension paths, electrochemical reaction conditions, etc. can be learned as new patterns with different responses to the objective variables and intermediate variables. Combinatorial optimization can be performed under operation variables updated by machine learning, or optimization can be performed under functions updated by machine learning.

[0164] According to such an electrochemical reaction system 3, it is possible to perform optimization calculations for optimizing the conditions of the electrode catalyst and the electrochemical reaction based on the analysis results showing the amounts and composition of components of the fluid recovered from the chamber after the electrochemical reaction. For a single electrochemical cell 10 using multiple types of electrode catalyst materials, it is possible to optimize the type of chamber, the connection path of the chamber, the extension path of the chamber, the conditions of the electrochemical reaction, etc., so that the amount and generation ratio of the product are maximized. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently generate substances by electrochemical reactions using the electrode catalyst.

[0165] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all the configurations of the above embodiment. It is possible to replace a part of the configuration of an embodiment with another configuration, add a part of the configuration of an embodiment to another form, or omit a part of the configuration of an embodiment.

[0166] For example, the structures of the electrochemical cells shown in Figures 5 to 8 may be applied to any of the electrochemical cells shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the electrochemical cell shown in Figure 10, the electrochemical cell shown in Figure 11, and similar electrochemical cells. [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 1. Electrochemical reaction system 2. Electrochemical reaction system 3. Electrochemical reaction system 10 Electrochemical Cell 11 First electrode member 12 Flow path forming member 13 Separator 14 Flow path forming member 15 Second electrode member 16 Chamber 17 Gas diffusion electrode material 17a Gas diffusion layer 17b Catalyst layer 18 Gas flow path forming member 20 Power supply 30 Liquid supply device 31a First liquid supply container 31b Second liquid supply container 31c Third liquid supply container 31d 4th liquid supply container 40 Gas-liquid separation mechanism 41a First liquid collection container 41b Second liquid collection container 41c Third liquid collection container 41d Fourth liquid collection container 42a First gas recovery pipe 42b Second gas recovery pipe 42c Third gas recovery pipe 42d 4th gas recovery pipe 50 Gas supply device 51a First gas supply pipe 51b Second gas supply pipe 51c Third gas supply pipe 51d 4th gas supply pipe 60 Optimization Calculator 70 Liquid analyzer 80 Gas analyzer

Claims

1. an electrochemical cell having a first electrode functioning as a cathode, a second electrode functioning as an anode, and a chamber in which an electrochemical reaction between the first electrode and the second electrode occurs; a power supply device that applies a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; a fluid supply device for supplying a fluid involved in an electrochemical reaction to the chamber; At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed of a plurality of types of electrode materials that are different from each other in at least one of a composition of a material constituting the electrode and a structure of a surface of the electrode, An electrochemical reaction system in which at least a portion of the wall surface of the chamber is formed from a plurality of types of the electrode materials.

2. 2. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 1 , The electrochemical cell is an electrochemical reaction system that produces multiple types of products from reactants supplied to the chamber through an electrochemical reaction catalyzed by multiple types of electrode materials, the products differing from each other in at least one of the chemical composition constituting the substance and the mixture composition constituting the mixture.

3. 2. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 1 , An electrochemical reaction system, wherein the fluid is at least one of a raw material fluid containing a reactant for the electrochemical reaction and an electrolyte liquid that mediates the transfer of charges in the electrochemical reaction.

4. 2. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 1 , The electrochemical reaction system includes a gas-liquid separation mechanism that separates the fluid discharged from the chamber into gas and liquid.

5. 5. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 4, The electrochemical reaction system, wherein the gas-liquid separation mechanism is a membrane separation device equipped with a hydrophobic porous membrane.

6. 2. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 1 , The electrochemical cell is an electrochemical reaction system having a layered structure in which a first electrode member forming the first electrode, a flow path forming member forming a wall surface of a portion of the chamber and a flow path for the fluid, and a second electrode member forming the second electrode are layered in this order.

7. 7. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 6, The electrochemical cell is an electrochemical reaction system having a layered structure in which a first flow path forming member that forms a part of the wall surface of the chamber and a flow path of the fluid, a first electrode member that forms the first electrode of a gas diffusion type, a second electrode member that forms the second electrode of a gas diffusion type, and a second flow path forming member that forms a part of the wall surface of the chamber and a flow path of the fluid are layered in this order.

8. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 6 or 7, An electrochemical reaction system, wherein at least one of the first electrode member and the second electrode member is provided in a gradient structure in which at least one of the composition of the material constituting the electrode and the structure of the surface of the electrode changes in the layer-wise direction of the first electrode member and the second electrode member.

9. 9. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 8, the electrochemical cell having a plurality of said chambers; The electrochemical reaction system has a plurality of chambers each forming an independent space without communicating with each other.

10. 10. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 9, An electrochemical reaction system in which a space forming the chamber is disposed so as to extend in a uniaxial direction parallel to a layer-wise direction of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

11. 10. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 9, An electrochemical reaction system in which a space forming the chamber is arranged to extend in a plurality of axial directions parallel to the layer-wise directions of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

12. 10. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 9, An electrochemical reaction system in which the space forming the chamber is formed in a matrix shape in the layer-wise direction of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

13. 9. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 8, the electrochemical cell having a plurality of said chambers; The electrochemical reaction system has a plurality of chambers that form a continuous space communicating with each other.

14. 14. The electrochemical reaction system of claim 13, An electrochemical reaction system in which the space forming the chamber is formed in a matrix shape in the layer-wise direction of the first electrode member, the flow path forming member, and the second electrode member.

15. 2. The electrochemical reaction system according to claim 1 , An electrochemical reaction system comprising: an analyzer that quantifies substances contained in the fluid discharged from the chamber; and a computer that performs optimization calculations to optimize the electrodes used in the electrochemical reaction and the conditions for the electrochemical reaction based on the analysis results from the analyzer that quantifies substances contained in the fluid discharged from the chamber.

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