Carbon dioxide electrolytic device and carbon dioxide electrolytic method

A carbon dioxide electrolytic device comprising:

• an electrolysis cell including a cathode to reduce carbon dioxide and thus produce a carbon compound, an anode to oxidize water or hydroxide ions and thus produce oxygen, a carbon dioxide supply unit to supply carbon dioxide to the cathode, a electrolytic solution supply unit to supply an electrolytic solution containing water to at least one of the cathode and the anode, and a separator to separate the anode and the cathode;
• a power supply connected to the anode and the cathode;
• a reaction control unit to cause a reduction reaction of the carbon dioxide in the cathode and an oxidation reaction of the water or hydroxide ions in the anode by passing an electric current from the power supply to the anode and the cathode;
• a refresh material supply unit including a gas supply unit to supply a gaseous substance as at least part of the refresh material to at least one of the anode and the cathode;
• and
• a refresh control unit which stops supply of the electric current from the power supply by the reaction control unit and stops supply of the carbon dioxide and the electrolytic solution, and operates the refresh material supply unit, based on request criteria of a cell output which is at least one of output values of the electrolysis cell.