Phase separator and phase separation system including the same and phase separation method

A phase separator that receives a mixed liquid to bring the mixed liquid into phase separation, the mixed liquid containing a first liquid and a second liquid that are capable of forming a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase, respectively, the first liquid being immiscible with the second liquid and having a larger specific gravity than a specific gravity of the second liquid, the phase separator comprising:

• a main body container that defines a storage space for storing the mixed-liquid;
• a partition member disposed inside the main body container so as to partition the storage space into a plurality of spaces arranged horizontally, the plurality of spaces including a mutual contact space allowing the first liquid and the second liquid to flow vertically while being in contact with each other in the mutual contact space, and a phase separation space for separating the mixed liquid into a first liquid phase formed of the first liquid and a second liquid phase formed of the second liquid;
• a mixed-liquid introduction part disposed so as to allow the mixed liquid to be introduced into the mutual contact space through the mixed-liquid introduction part to make the mixed liquid flow from an introduction end selected from an upper end and a lower end of the partition member through the mutual contact space toward a discharge end that is an end opposite to the introduction end out of the upper end and the lower end of the partition member;
• a first lead-out part provided at a height position where the first liquid phase separated in the phase separation space is present to allow the first liquid forming the first liquid phase to be led out of the main body container through the first lead-out part;
• and
• a second lead-out part provided at a height position where the second liquid phase separated in the phase separating space is present to allow the second liquid forming the second liquid phase to be led out of the main body container through the second lead-out part, wherein
• the storage space is formed with a discharge-side circulation flow path that allows the mixed liquid discharged from the discharge end of the partition member to transfer to the phase separation space, and an introduction-side circulation flow path that allows a liquid that forms a liquid phase present at a height position of the introduction end out of the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase separated in the phase separation space to be introduced into the mutual contact space through the introduction end.