Mint Drying Case

The traditional drying method is facing challenges. A mint planting cooperative located in Yunnan used to use coal-fired hot air stoves for drying, which not only had high costs (coal prices were about 1400 yuan/ton), but also unstable temperature control, resulting in mint leaves being prone to scorching and yellowing, and essential oil volatilization being severe. With the tightening of environmental policies, the cooperative has decided to upgrade to a biomass pellet heat source drying system, which ensures drying quality while reducing carbon emissions.

1、 Customer requirements:

① Production requirement: The drying capacity of a single batch should reach 6 tons to meet the production demand during peak season;

② Reduce costs: The price of biomass pellet fuel is only 50% -60% of that of coal, and it enjoys government subsidies;

③ Maintain quality: Require mint to have a green color after drying, high retention rate of essential oils, and meet medicinal standards.

2、 The specific process of drying process (using 40-50 ℃ low-temperature drying process) is as follows:

① Laying: Fresh mint evenly spread on the tray, with a thickness not exceeding 5cm;

② Heat source: The biomass pellet burner provides stable hot air with a temperature fluctuation of ± 2 ℃;

③ Drying: Dehydration is completed in 8 hours, reducing the moisture content from 75% to below 8%;

④ Automatic control: Intelligent temperature and humidity monitoring to prevent over drying or under drying.

Customer review: “After switching to biomass heat source, the drying cost per ton has been reduced by 40%, and the retention rate of peppermint essential oil has been increased by 15%. The finished product color is fresher and greener. Automated operation saves labor, and the drying efficiency of 6-ton batches fully meets our needs.” This case provides a replicable green drying solution for small and medium-sized peppermint processing enterprises, and Jinlu Machinery specializes in providing customers with different solutions.