Carbon dioxide electrolytic device and method of electrolyzing carbon dioxide

A carbon dioxide electrolytic device, comprising:

• an electrolysis cell including
• a cathode to reduce a first substance containing carbon dioxide and thus produce a first product containing a carbon compound,
• an anode to oxidize a second substance containing water or hydroxide ions and thus produce a second product containing oxygen,
• a cathode flow path facing the cathode,
• an anode flow path facing the anode, and
• a separator separating the anode and the cathode;
• a carbon dioxide source to supply the carbon dioxide to the cathode flow path;
• a solution source to supply an electrolytic solution containing the water or hydroxide ions to the anode flow path;
• a sensor to acquire data indicating a concentration of the first product in the anode flow path;
• a power controller to apply a voltage between the anode and the cathode;
• a refresh material source including
• a gas source to supply a gaseous substance to at least one selected from the group consisting of the anode and cathode flow paths, and
• a solution supply source to supply a rinse solution to at least one selected from the group consisting of the anode and cathode flow paths;
• and
• a controller programmed to stop the supply of the carbon dioxide and the electrolytic solution and supply the rinse solution to at least one selected from the group consisting of the anode and cathode flow paths from the refresh material source, in accordance with the data.