Electrolysis equipment

Abstract

To provide an electrolytic device which enables production of ammonia without using a hydrogen raw material.SOLUTION: An electrolytic device has an electrolytic cell, an ion exchange part, a gas diffusion electrode part, a photocatalyst electrode part, and a gas passage, wherein the electrolytic cell is partitioned into a first cell part and a second cell part by the ion exchange part, the ion exchange part can control movement between the first cell part and the second cell part to movement of specific ions, in the gas diffusion electrode part, a catalyst of a first main surface of a porous base material is exposed to a first electrolytic solution, and a second main surface of the porous base material is exposed to nitrogen gas in the gas passage, in the photocatalyst electrode part, a photocatalyst is exposed to a second electrolytic solution in the second cell part, light is received in the photocatalyst in a state where nitrogen-containing gas is circulated in the gas passage, thereby a voltage is generated between the photocatalyst electrode part and the gas diffusion electrode part, nitrogen gas in the nitrogen-containing gas is reduced on the catalyst using the generated voltage to produce ammonia, and the second electrolytic solution is oxidized on the photocatalyst to produce hydrogen peroxide.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolysis device, and particularly to an electrolysis device for generating ammonia by electrolysis.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, ammonia has attracted attention as a power generation fuel because it does not emit carbon dioxide even when burned and is a liquid, making it easy to store and transport. Industrially, ammonia is produced by the Haber - Bosch process in which nitrogen and hydrogen are reacted under high temperature and high pressure (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the production of ammonia by the Haber - Bosch process requires hydrogen as a raw material, so it is necessary to produce hydrogen in advance, which has the problem that a large amount of energy is required to produce hydrogen.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolysis device capable of producing ammonia without using a hydrogen raw material.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises an electrolytic cell, an ion exchange unit, a gas diffusion electrode unit, a photocatalytic electrode unit, and a gas channel through which a nitrogen-containing gas including nitrogen gas flows, wherein the electrolytic cell is divided into a first tank unit and a second tank unit by the ion exchange unit, the ion exchange unit can restrict the movement between the first tank unit and the second tank unit to the movement of specific ions, and the gas diffusion electrode unit has a catalyst supported on a first main surface of a porous substrate, the catalyst is exposed to a first electrolyte in the first tank unit, and the porous substrate This electrolytic device has a second main surface of a material exposed to nitrogen gas in the gas flow path, a photocatalytic electrode section having a photocatalyst, the photocatalyst exposed to a second electrolyte in the second tank section, and when the photocatalyst receives light while the nitrogen-containing gas is flowing through the gas flow path, a voltage is generated between the photocatalytic electrode section and the gas diffusion electrode section, and the generated voltage is used to reduce the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen-containing gas on the catalyst to produce ammonia, and to oxidize the second electrolyte on the photocatalyst to produce hydrogen peroxide.

[0007] According to this method, ammonia can be produced by electrolyzing nitrogen-containing gas and water, thus enabling ammonia production without the use of hydrogen as a raw material. According to this design, the voltage generated by the photocatalytic electrode is used, making it more environmentally friendly. According to this method, hydrogen peroxide can be produced in conjunction with the production of ammonia, and the generated hydrogen peroxide can be used for sterilization and other purposes.

[0008] A preferred configuration is that the first electrolyte is water or an acidic aqueous solution.

[0009] According to this configuration, the ammonia generated on the catalyst in the gas diffusion electrode dissolves in the first electrolyte, making it easy to recover the ammonia.

[0010] A preferred configuration is that the second electrolyte is water or an alkaline aqueous solution.

[0011] According to this configuration, the hydrogen peroxide generated on the photocatalyst in the photocatalytic electrode dissolves in the second electrolyte, making it easy to recover the hydrogen peroxide.

[0012] A preferred configuration is to have a gas adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of nitrogen-containing gas supplied to the gas flow path, and a recovery flow path that recovers unreacted nitrogen-containing gas on the gas diffusion electrode unit to the gas adjustment unit.

[0013] According to this method, unreacted nitrogen-containing gas can be reused in the reaction in the gas flow path, thereby improving the yield of ammonia.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention comprises an electrolytic cell, an ion exchange unit, a gas diffusion electrode unit, a counter electrode unit, a gas flow path through which a nitrogen-containing gas including nitrogen gas flows, and a power supply device that applies a voltage between the gas diffusion electrode unit and the counter electrode unit, wherein the electrolytic cell is divided into a first tank unit and a second tank unit by the ion exchange unit, the ion exchange unit can restrict the movement between the first tank unit and the second tank unit to the movement of specific ions, and the gas diffusion electrode unit has a catalyst supported on a first main surface of a porous substrate, and within the first tank unit This electrolytic device involves the catalyst being exposed to a first electrolyte, the second main surface of the porous substrate being exposed to nitrogen gas in the gas flow path, the counter electrode having a second catalyst, the second catalyst being exposed to a second electrolyte in the second tank, and applying a voltage between the gas diffusion electrode and the counter electrode while the nitrogen-containing gas is flowing through the gas flow path to reduce the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen-containing gas on the catalyst to produce ammonia, and oxidizing the second electrolyte on the second catalyst to produce hydrogen peroxide.

[0015] According to this method, ammonia can be produced by electrolyzing nitrogen-containing gas and water, thus enabling ammonia production without the use of hydrogen as a raw material. According to this method, hydrogen peroxide can be produced in conjunction with the production of ammonia, and the generated hydrogen peroxide can be used for sterilization and other purposes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, ammonia can be produced without using a hydrogen raw material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a working principle diagram schematically showing the electrolyzer of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0019] The electrolyzer 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention mainly produces ammonia and hydrogen peroxide from nitrogen gas and water. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzer 1 includes an electrolytic cell 2, a gas supply unit 3, a gas adjustment unit 6, a first electrolytic solution supply unit 7, a second electrolytic solution supply unit 8, a first storage unit 10, a second storage unit 11, a power supply device 12, a first supply-side piping unit 13, a second supply-side piping unit 15, and a recovery-side piping unit 16.

[0020] (Electrolytic cell 2) As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolytic cell 2 includes a cell main body portion 20, a gas diffusion electrode portion 21, a photocatalyst electrode portion 22 (counter electrode portion), an ion exchange portion 23, a gas introduction portion 25, a gas discharge portion 26, a gas flow path 27, a first electrolytic solution introduction portion 35, a first electrolytic solution discharge portion 36, a second electrolytic solution introduction portion 37, and a second electrolytic solution discharge portion 38.

[0021] The cell main body portion 20 is partitioned by the ion exchange portion 23 and includes a first cell portion 40 and a second cell portion 41. The first cell portion 40 is a portion between the gas diffusion electrode portion 21 and the ion exchange portion 23 and is a portion filled with the first electrolytic solution 45. The second cell portion 41 is a portion between the photocatalyst electrode portion 22 and the ion exchange portion 23 and is a portion filled with the second electrolytic solution 46.

[0022] The gas diffusion electrode section 21 is a cathode electrode section that reduces nitrogen gas passing through the gas flow path 27 to produce ammonia. The gas diffusion electrode section 21 is composed of a porous substrate 50 and a catalyst 51, with the catalyst 51 supported on the first main surface 52 of the porous substrate 50.

[0023] The porous substrate 50 is a conductive substrate having conductivity and multiple voids, and is a substrate that allows gas to pass through in the thickness direction but prevents liquid from passing through. The porous substrate 50 can be polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber or the like.

[0024] Catalyst 51 is an anode catalyst that oxidizes nitrogen gas to form nitrogen oxide gas (NOx). The catalyst 51 is not particularly limited as long as it oxidizes nitrogen gas to form nitrogen oxide gas, but for example, at least one catalyst selected from IrO2, PtO2, PdO2, and TiO2 as proposed in Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 6442-6448 can be used, and in particular, a mixed catalyst of Ti2(110) and IrO2(110) is considered to be preferably used. In this context, "nitrogen oxide gases (NOx)" refers to a general term for substances formed by the combination of nitrogen and oxygen, including nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), dinitrogen monoxide (N2O), and dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3).

[0025] The photocatalytic electrode section 22 is an anode electrode section that oxidizes the second electrolyte 46 and generates hydrogen peroxide. The photocatalytic electrode section 22 is composed of a transparent conductive substrate 60 and a photocatalyst 61 (second catalyst), with the photocatalyst 61 supported on the first main surface 62 of the transparent conductive substrate 60.

[0026] The transparent conductive substrate 60 is a transparent conductive substrate that has conductivity and light transmission properties. The transparent conductive substrate 60 is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity and light transmission properties, but for example, a transparent conductive oxide substrate in which a transparent conductive oxide layer is laminated on a glass substrate can be used.

[0027] The photocatalyst 61 is an oxidation catalyst that oxidizes the second electrolyte 46 on its surface when it receives light. The photocatalyst 61 is not particularly limited as long as it has photocatalytic activity. Examples of photocatalysts 61 that can be used include tungsten trioxide (WO3) catalysts, bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) catalysts, tin oxide (SnO2) catalysts, titanium dioxide (TiO2) catalysts, and hematite (Fe2O3) catalysts.

[0028] The ion exchange section 23 is a separator that divides the first tank section 40 and the second tank section 41. The ion exchange section 23 is a film that allows only specific ions to move in the thickness direction, while restricting the movement of other ions and electrons. The ion exchange section 23 in this embodiment is a cation exchange membrane that restricts or prevents the movement of anions and electrons, allowing only cations to move. Furthermore, the ion exchange section 23 also serves as a barrier film that blocks the flow of gas in the thickness direction. The ion exchange section 23 is capable of ion exchange, and the material is not particularly limited as long as hydrogen and oxygen do not cross over. For the ion exchange section 23, a polymer membrane such as a perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid-based polymer membrane like Nafion (registered trademark) can be used.

[0029] The gas introduction section 25 is the part that introduces nitrogen-containing gas, including nitrogen gas supplied from the gas supply section 3, into the gas flow path 27.

[0030] The gas discharge section 26 is the part that discharges the nitrogen-containing gas in the gas flow path 27 to the outside of the gas flow path 27.

[0031] The gas flow path 27 is a flow path connecting the gas inlet 25 and the gas outlet 26, and is capable of passing nitrogen-containing gas through it. In the gas flow path 27, the gas diffusion electrode section 21 forms part of the inner wall in the intermediate portion in the flow direction.

[0032] The first electrolyte introduction section 35 is the part that introduces the first electrolyte 45 supplied from the first electrolyte supply section 7 into the first tank section 40.

[0033] The first electrolyte discharge section 36 is the part that discharges the first electrolyte 45 from inside the first tank section 40 to the first storage section 10.

[0034] The first electrolyte 45 is a liquid containing protons, and is not particularly limited as long as it contains protons, but is preferably, for example, water or an acidic solution.

[0035] The second electrolyte introduction section 37 is the part that introduces the second electrolyte 46 supplied from the second electrolyte supply section 8 into the second tank section 41.

[0036] The second electrolyte discharge section 38 is the part that discharges the second electrolyte 46 from inside the second tank section 41 to the second storage section 11.

[0037] The second electrolyte 46 is a liquid containing hydroxide ions, and is not particularly limited as long as it contains hydroxide ions, but for example, water or an alkaline aqueous solution can be used.

[0038] (Gas supply section 3) The gas supply unit 3 is the part that supplies nitrogen-containing gas, including nitrogen gas, to the gas adjustment unit 6. The gas supply unit 3 is capable of adjusting the amount of nitrogen-containing gas supplied to the gas adjustment unit 6.

[0039] (Gas adjustment section 6) The gas adjustment unit 6 is a part that adjusts the amount of nitrogen-containing gas supplied to the gas flow path 27. The gas adjustment unit 6 mixes the nitrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas supply unit 3 with the nitrogen-containing gas recovered from the gas flow path 27 and is capable of supplying it to the gas introduction unit 25 at a predetermined flow rate.

[0040] (First electrolyte supply section 7) The first electrolyte supply unit 7 is the part that supplies the first electrolyte 45 from the first electrolyte introduction unit 35 into the first tank unit 40. The first electrolyte supply unit 7 is capable of adjusting the amount of the first electrolyte 45 supplied to the first tank unit 40.

[0041] (Second electrolyte supply section 8) The second electrolyte supply unit 8 is the part that supplies the second electrolyte 46 from the second electrolyte introduction unit 37 into the second tank unit 41. The second electrolyte supply unit 8 is capable of adjusting the amount of the second electrolyte 46 supplied to the second cell unit 41.

[0042] (First storage section 10) The first storage section 10 is a storage tank for storing the first electrolyte 45 containing ammonia generated in the first tank section 40. The first storage section 10 preferably has an extraction mechanism for extracting ammonia from the first electrolyte 45.

[0043] (Second storage section 11) The second storage section 11 is a storage tank for storing the second electrolyte 46 containing hydrogen peroxide generated in the second tank section 41. The second storage section 11 preferably has an extraction mechanism for extracting hydrogen peroxide from the second electrolyte 46.

[0044] (Power supply 12) The power supply unit 12 is a power supply device that supplies power to the electrolytic cell 2 and is a voltage application device that applies a voltage between the gas diffusion electrode unit 21 and the photocatalytic electrode unit 22. The power supply unit 12 is not particularly limited as long as it can apply voltage between the gas diffusion electrode unit 21 and the photocatalytic electrode unit 22. The power supply unit 12 may be a commercial power supply unit, a power generation device using renewable energy such as a solar cell, or an energy storage device such as a secondary battery.

[0045] (1st supply side piping section 13) As shown in Figure 1, the first supply-side piping section 13 is a piping section that connects the gas supply section 3 and the gas adjustment section 6, and constitutes a supply channel that supplies nitrogen-containing gas from the gas supply section 3 to the gas adjustment section 6.

[0046] (Second supply side piping section 15) The second supply side piping section 15 is a piping section that connects the gas adjustment section 6 and the gas introduction section 25, and constitutes a supply channel that supplies nitrogen-containing gas from the gas adjustment section 6 to the gas flow path 27.

[0047] (Recovery side piping section 16) The recovery side piping section 16 is the piping section that connects the gas discharge section 26 and the gas adjustment section 6. The recovery-side piping section 16 constitutes a recovery channel for recovering unreacted nitrogen-containing gas from the gas flow path 27, and also constitutes a supply channel for supplying the unreacted nitrogen-containing gas to the gas adjustment section 6. The recovery side piping section 16 is equipped with a check valve 70 that allows gas to flow from the gas discharge section 26 to the gas adjustment section 6, but prevents gas from flowing from the gas adjustment section 6 to the gas discharge section 26.

[0048] Next, we will explain the positional relationships of each part of the electrolytic device 1.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, the electrolytic device 1 has a gas diffusion electrode section 21 arranged in the first chamber section 40 and a photocatalytic electrode section 22 arranged in the second chamber section 41. The surface of the gas diffusion electrode section 21 facing the catalyst 51 is opposite the surface of the photocatalyst electrode section 22 facing the photocatalyst 61, with the ion exchange section 23 in between. In the gas diffusion electrode section 21, the first main surface 52 of the porous substrate 50 is exposed to the first tank section 40, and the second main surface 53 of the porous substrate 50 is exposed to the gas flow path 27. In the photocatalytic electrode section 22, the first main surface 62 of the transparent conductive substrate 60 is exposed to the second chamber section 41, and the second main surface of the transparent conductive substrate 60 serves as the light-receiving surface.

[0050] The gas supply unit 3 is connected to the gas adjustment unit 6 via the first supply side piping unit 13, and the gas adjustment unit 6 is connected to the gas introduction unit 25 via the second supply side piping unit 15. In other words, the electrolytic device 1 has a supply channel that supplies nitrogen-containing gas from the gas supply section 3 to the gas introduction section 25 via the gas adjustment section 6. The gas discharge section 26 is connected to the gas adjustment section 6 via the recovery side piping section 16. In other words, the electrolytic device 1 has a recovery channel that supplies nitrogen-containing gas from the gas discharge section 26 to the gas introduction section 25 via the gas adjustment section 6.

[0051] Next, we will describe the operation of generating hydrogen peroxide and ammonia using the electrolytic device 1 of this embodiment.

[0052] First, electrolytes 45 and 46 are supplied from the electrolyte supply units 7 and 8 to the tank units 40 and 41, filling most of the tank units 40 and 41 with electrolytes 45 and 46.

[0053] At this time, the first electrolyte 45 is filled into the first tank section 40, the gas diffusion electrode section 21 is immersed in the first electrolyte 45 within the first tank section 40, and the catalyst 51 is exposed to the first electrolyte 45. Similarly, the second electrolyte 46 is filled into the second tank 41, the photocatalytic electrode 22 is immersed in the second electrolyte 46 within the second tank 41, and the photocatalyst 61 is exposed to the second electrolyte 46. The liquid level of the first electrolyte 45 is preferably such that 80% or more of the catalyst 51 of the gas diffusion electrode section 21 is immersed, and more preferably such that 90% or more is immersed. The liquid level of the second electrolyte 46 is preferably such that 80% or more of the photocatalyst 61 of the photocatalyst electrode 22 is immersed, and more preferably such that 90% or more is immersed.

[0054] In addition, in a separate process, nitrogen-containing gas is supplied from the gas supply unit 3 to the gas flow path 27 via the gas adjustment unit 6.

[0055] At this time, the porous substrate 50 of the gas diffusion electrode section 21 has its second main surface 53 exposed to nitrogen-containing gas flowing through the gas channel 27.

[0056] Then, with nitrogen-containing gas flowing through the gas channel 27, light is received at the photocatalytic electrode section 22, and a voltage is applied between the gas diffusion electrode section 21 and the photocatalytic electrode section 22 by the power supply unit 12.

[0057] At this time, an electrochemical reaction according to the following reaction equation (1) occurs on the photocatalyst 61 of the photocatalytic electrode section 22, oxidizing the water in the second electrolyte 46 and generating hydrogen peroxide. Also, an electrochemical reaction according to the following reaction equation (2) occurs on the catalyst 51 of the gas diffusion electrode section 21, reducing the nitrogen gas in the gas channel 27 and generating ammonia. As a result, the overall reaction involves the reaction of nitrogen gas and water to produce ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, as shown in the following reaction equation (3).

[0058] [ka]

[0059] At this time, the ammonia generated in the gas diffusion electrode section 21 dissolves in the first electrolyte 45, and the unreacted nitrogen-containing gas flows downstream of the gas flow path 27, is discharged to the outside from the gas discharge section 26, and is recovered in the gas adjustment section 6 from the recovery side piping section 16. Meanwhile, the hydrogen peroxide generated in the photocatalytic electrode section 22 dissolves in the second electrolyte 46.

[0060] The first electrolyte 45, in which ammonia is dissolved, is discharged from the first electrolyte discharge section 36 to the first storage section 10 and stored in the first storage section 10, while the second electrolyte 46, in which hydrogen peroxide is dissolved, is discharged from the second electrolyte discharge section 38 to the second storage section 11 and stored in the second storage section 11. Subsequently, if necessary, ammonia can be separated from the first electrolyte 45 and hydrogen peroxide from the second electrolyte 46 to obtain high-purity ammonia and high-purity hydrogen peroxide.

[0061] According to the electrolytic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, when a nitrogen-containing gas is circulated in the gas flow path 27 and light is received by the photocatalyst 61, a voltage is generated between the gas diffusion electrode section 21 and the photocatalytic electrode section 22. Using the generated voltage and the voltage applied by the power supply unit 12, the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen-containing gas is reduced on the catalyst 51 to produce ammonia, and the second electrolyte 46 is oxidized on the photocatalyst 61 to produce hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, ammonia can be produced without using a hydrogen raw material. According to the electrolytic device 1 of the first embodiment, since the voltage generated by the photocatalytic electrode section 22 is used, the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 12 can be reduced, making it environmentally friendly. According to the electrolytic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, hydrogen peroxide can be generated in conjunction with the production of ammonia, and the generated hydrogen peroxide can be used for sterilization and the like.

[0062] According to the electrolytic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, since the first electrolyte 45 is water or an acidic aqueous solution, the ammonia generated on the catalyst of the gas diffusion electrode section 21 dissolves in the first electrolyte 45, making it easy to recover the ammonia.

[0063] According to the electrolytic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, since the second electrolyte 46 is water or an alkaline aqueous solution, the hydrogen peroxide generated on the photocatalyst 61 of the photocatalytic electrode section 22 dissolves in the second electrolyte 46, making it easy to recover the hydrogen peroxide.

[0064] According to the electrolytic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, it has a gas adjustment unit 6 that adjusts the amount of nitrogen-containing gas supplied to the gas flow path 27, and a recovery side piping unit 16 that recovers unreacted nitrogen-containing gas on the gas diffusion electrode unit 21 to the gas adjustment unit 6. Therefore, the unreacted nitrogen-containing gas can be reused in the reaction in the gas flow path 27, and the yield of ammonia can be improved.

[0065] In the embodiment described above, unreacted nitrogen-containing gas was supplied from the gas flow path 27 to the gas adjustment unit 6 via the recovery side piping section 16, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Unreacted nitrogen-containing gas may also be supplied directly from the gas discharge section 26 of the gas flow path 27 to the gas inlet section 25 of the gas flow path 27 via the recovery side piping section 16.

[0066] In the embodiment described above, unreacted nitrogen-containing gas was recovered in the gas adjustment unit 6, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is not necessary to recover unreacted nitrogen-containing gas in the gas adjustment unit 6.

[0067] In the embodiments described above, the components can be freely substituted or added between each embodiment, as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Electrolyzer 2 Electrolytic cell 6. Gas adjustment section 12 Power supply 16. Recovery side piping section (recovery flow path) 21 Gas diffusion electrode section 22 Photocatalytic electrode part (counter electrode part) 23 Ion exchange section 27 Gas flow path 40 1st tank section 41 2nd tank section 45 First electrolyte 46 Second electrolyte 50 Porous substrate 51 Catalyst 52 First Main Surface 53 Second Main Surface 61 Photocatalyst (Second Catalyst)

Claims

1. It has an electrolytic cell, an ion exchange section, a gas diffusion electrode section, a photocatalytic electrode section, and a gas channel through which nitrogen-containing gas, including nitrogen gas, flows. The electrolytic cell is divided into a first tank section and a second tank section by the ion exchange section. The ion exchange unit is capable of restricting the movement between the first tank and the second tank to the movement of specific ions. In the gas diffusion electrode section, a catalyst is supported on a first main surface of a porous substrate, the catalyst is exposed to a first electrolyte in the first tank section, and the second main surface of the porous substrate is exposed to nitrogen gas in the gas flow path. The photocatalytic electrode section has a photocatalyst, and the photocatalyst is exposed to the second electrolyte in the second tank section. An electrolytic device comprising: flowing the nitrogen-containing gas through the gas channel, receiving light with the photocatalyst, thereby generating a voltage between the photocatalyst electrode and the gas diffusion electrode; using the generated voltage, reducing the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen-containing gas on the catalyst in the gas diffusion electrode to produce ammonia; and oxidizing the second electrolyte on the photocatalyst in the photocatalyst electrode to produce hydrogen peroxide.

2. The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrolyte is water or an acidic aqueous solution.

3. The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second electrolyte is water or an alkaline aqueous solution.

4. The gas adjustment unit has a gas adjustment section that adjusts the amount of nitrogen-containing gas supplied to the gas flow path, The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a recovery channel for recovering unreacted nitrogen-containing gas on the gas diffusion electrode section into the gas adjustment section.

5. The system comprises an electrolytic cell, an ion exchange unit, a gas diffusion electrode unit, a counter electrode unit, a gas flow path through which nitrogen-containing gas including nitrogen gas flows, and a power supply device that applies a voltage between the gas diffusion electrode unit and the counter electrode unit. The electrolytic cell is divided into a first tank section and a second tank section by the ion exchange section. The ion exchange unit is capable of restricting the movement between the first tank and the second tank to the movement of specific ions. In the gas diffusion electrode section, a catalyst is supported on a first main surface of a porous substrate, the catalyst is exposed to a first electrolyte in the first tank section, and the second main surface of the porous substrate is exposed to nitrogen gas in the gas flow path. The counter electrode portion has a second catalyst, and the second catalyst is exposed to a second electrolyte within the second tank portion. An electrolytic device comprising: applying a voltage between the gas diffusion electrode and the counter electrode while the nitrogen-containing gas is flowing through the gas flow path, thereby reducing the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen-containing gas on the catalyst in the gas diffusion electrode to produce ammonia, and oxidizing the second electrolyte on the second catalyst in the counter electrode to produce hydrogen peroxide.

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