$SO_2$ has been absorbed and separated selectively by an ionic liquid from $SO_2/O_2$ mixture decomposed from sulfuric acid during the thermochemical SI cycle for the water splitting. In order to design and operate high pressure $SO_2/O_2$ separation system, the solubility of $SO_2$ in [EMIm]$EtSO_4$ (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate) has been measured by Magnetic Suspension Balance at high pressure and temperature. Based on the measured solubility, a pressurized separation system was set up and operated. 194 L/h of $SO_2$($SO_2:O_2$=0.65:1) has been separated with 99.85% of $O_2$ at the vent of absorption tower, which is 22.7% of the theoretically ideal capacity of the system. This discrepancy results from the reduced contact between the gaseous $SO_2$ and the ionic liquid. Increased $SO_2$ supply, scale-up of the absorption column, and a faster ionic liquid circulation speed were suggested to improve the separation capacity.