Abstract
Peppermint leaves have wide range of applications in medicines, toothpastes, soaps, mouth fresheners, chewing gums etc. However, in India, the traditional way of processing peppermint leaves for extraction of peppermint oil is slow, tedious, labour intensive, hazardous, and causes skin problem as well.
This paper proposes a method of mechanizing the post harvesting process, with least modification in the current apparatus being used by the farmers in the Indian villages. It proposes a non-electric 2-dimensional Mechanized system for movement and compaction of the compact/hay. The mechanism will help to reduce the number of labourers per unit hay volume and the risk associated with the contact of in-process hay with their skin. Also, a lot of time is wasted in putting the leaves/hay in the boiler vessel, preparing the hay in a compact form and in removing the processed leaves.
This paper is an attempt to get rid of most of the problems aforementioned and make the process safe, efficient, less labour intensive and more economical for farmers and workers. The mechanism proposed is sustainable and farmer friendly as it does not require any special training for its operation. It will increase the profit of small scale industries with small capital investment for the setup.
The impact of the factors of oil-containing wastewater formation of Bezenchuk oil extraction plant
