Membrane emulsification apparatus with refiner and method of preparing a refined emulsion

A method of preparing a refined emulsion, said method comprising using a membrane emulsification apparatus for dispersing a first phase in a second phase, wherein the membrane emulsification apparatus comprises a cross-flow apparatus for producing an emulsion or dispersion by dispersing a first phase in a second phase;

• said cross-flow apparatus comprising:
• an outer tubular sleeve provided with a first inlet at a first end;
• an emulsion outlet;
• and a second inlet, distal from and inclined relative to the first inlet;
• a tubular membrane provided with a plurality of pores and adapted to be positioned inside the tubular sleeve;
• and
• optionally an insert adapted to be located inside the tubular membrane, said insert comprising an inlet end and an outlet end, each of the inlet end and an outlet end being provided with chamfered region;
• the chamfered region is provided with a plurality of orifices and a furcation plate;
• the apparatus also comprising a refiner arranged to receive the emulsion from the membrane and wherein said refiner comprises an inlet and an outlet wherein an opening adapted to converge flow of the emulsion and to break up droplets of the emulsion into a refined emulsion is located between the inlet and the outlet;
• wherein the refiner is an adjustable refiner.