Method and apparatus for converting α-spodumene into β-spodumene, in particular for simplified lithium extraction from minerals

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for converting α-spodumene into β-spodumene, wherein the α-spodumene is converted into the β-spodumene by heating α-spodumene-containing material (M1) to a predetermined conversion temperature. According to the invention, the α-spodumene-containing material (M1) is heated to the predetermined conversion temperature by means of laser irradiation. The invention further relates to a device (1) for carrying out the method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a process for converting α-spodumene into β-spodumene according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus for carrying out the process.

[0002] The prior art, as described in DE 1 064 935 B, discloses a process for producing lithium sulfate from spodumene using an exchange reaction carried out in an acidic medium below 600°C, which does not melt the spodumene, and leaching the resulting lithium sulfate from the reaction mass. The crushed spodumene ore, contaminated with gangue and converted from α-spodumene to β-spodumene, is reacted with steam and gaseous SO3 or steam and a catalytically activated gas mixture of SO3-containing SO2 and air in a gas-solid reaction without the formation of a liquid phase. To convert α-spodumene to β-spodumene, the minerals or their concentrates are heated to a temperature above the transformation temperature of α-spodumene to β-spodumene, ie above 1000°C, but not above the melting temperature of the accompanying minerals.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a process for converting α-spodumene into β-spodumene which is improved compared to the prior art and a device for carrying out the process.

[0004] The object is achieved according to the invention by a process for converting α-spodumene into β-spodumene having the features of claim 1 and an apparatus for carrying out the process having the features of claim 7.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0006] In a process for converting α-spodumene to β-spodumene, particularly for simplified lithium extraction from minerals, the α-spodumene is converted to β-spodumene by heating α-spodumene-containing material to a predetermined transformation temperature of, in particular, 1000°C or at least 1000°C. In nature, spodumene exists as α-spodumene, i.e., in the stable α-monoclinic form. By heating to the predetermined transformation temperature, it can be converted to the β-tetragonal form, i.e., β-spodumene.

[0007] According to the invention, the material containing or comprising α-spodumene is heated to the predetermined transformation temperature by laser irradiation. The material containing α-spodumene is, in particular, crushed rock, especially in the form of rock particles.

[0008] A device according to the invention for carrying out the method comprises a laser beam device with at least one laser beam generator, wherein the laser beam device is designed for laser irradiation of the material comprising α-spodumene in order to heat it to the predetermined transformation temperature and thereby convert the α-spodumene into the β-spodumene.

[0009] The solution according to the invention enables simpler and energy-efficient lithium extraction. Lithium is required in large quantities, for example, for traction batteries that supply electrical power to electric drive motors in vehicles. Until now, lithium extraction has been very energy-intensive and, in some places, polluting. High water consumption is particularly critical when extracting lithium from brine. To avoid this high water consumption, lithium can be extracted from minerals. However, this has so far been associated with high energy consumption and the corresponding generation of carbon dioxide.

[0010] The solution described here can significantly reduce this energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The mineral lithium compound known as spodumene is used as the starting material for lithium extraction. Spodumene has so far been mined primarily in Australia. Intermediate products obtained from this material are further processed, particularly in China. Transportation causes additional high costs and carbon dioxide emissions, as only 6% of the transported material is lithium, the rest being unusable byproducts.

[0011] To date, spodumene has been processed using the acid roast process, for example, to concentrate the lithium. For this, the mineral must first be heated to over 1000°C to change the crystal structure from α to β. This is currently done in large furnaces powered by oil or gas burners, which is harmful to the climate. The required fuel must also be transported to the mining site or processing site for the spodumene. Alternatively, microwave heating methods have been investigated. However, these methods have the disadvantage that microwaves do not couple directly into the original α-spodumene crystal; instead, other substances, such as silicon carbide, must be added. Furthermore, microwaves couple more effectively into the transformed β-crystal structure, causing undesirable melting and, consequently, a loss of crystal structure.

[0012] Electrically operated furnaces are now also being described for this purpose. These use electrically heated metal or ceramic elements to heat the material and / or gases / air, thus causing no carbon dioxide emissions, at least locally. The main disadvantages are the longer exposure times for the conversion, as the material is heated only through thermal conduction of the surrounding gases and irradiation by infrared radiation, which, unlike lasers, is unfocused, non-coherent, and of comparatively low intensity. Other disadvantages include the wear and tear and limited lifespan of the heating elements, as well as the necessary complex thermal insulation of the reaction vessel, as the surrounding area is also massively heated.

[0013] These disadvantages and problems of the previously used and previously investigated procedures for converting α-spodumene to β-spodumene are overcome by the solution described here, in which the material containing α-spodumene is heated to the specified conversion temperature by means of laser irradiation, in particular by means of planar laser irradiation. For this purpose, one or more, in particular planar, laser beam generators can be used. The laser radiation enables a very targeted, controlled or regulated energy input into the material. In contrast to heating the material in a furnace, the surroundings of the material are not heated or are heated only slightly. The energy used in the solution according to the invention is thus used particularly efficiently and with only very minimal losses to convert the α-spodumene to β-spodumene.

[0014] In particular, it is intended that the laser radiation from one or more laser beam generators is directed onto the surface of a layer of the material containing the α-spodumene, especially a comminuted one, where it is absorbed. There are no high beam quality requirements for this. Thus, for example, arrays of inexpensive conventional laser diodes or surface emitters can be used, which can then be focused using simple optical elements.

[0015] It is thus provided, for example, that the at least one laser beam generator of the laser beam device has at least one array of laser diodes or surface emitters, i.e., in particular, a plurality of laser diodes or surface emitters arranged one behind the other and / or side by side. The laser diodes are, in particular, edge-emitting laser diodes, in which the light exits at one or two flanks of a semiconductor chip. The surface emitters are also referred to as VCSELs (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers). Such a surface emitter is a laser diode in which the light is emitted approximately perpendicularly, preferably perpendicularly, to the plane of the semiconductor chip.

[0016] Alternatively, the at least one laser beam generator of the laser beam device can, for example, be a fiber-guided system, i.e., in particular, have at least one laser light source and at least one optical fiber, in particular a fiber optic light guide. The laser radiation, which is usually provided in a point-like manner in such fiber-guided systems, can then be expanded onto a surface, for example by means of optical elements, for example by means of at least one lens or at least one grating. Alternatively or additionally, such laser radiation can be moved quickly over the surface of the material, for example by means of a scanner system, so that here too, a quasi-area irradiation occurs. Such scanner systems are already known from other laser applications.

[0017] In order to achieve a further reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, it can be provided, for example, that an electrical energy supply for the laser beam device, in particular for the at least one laser beam generator, is generated by means of solar power and / or wind power, in particular locally, i.e. at the location where the method is carried out. The device can therefore, for example, also have solar cells and / or at least one wind turbine and / or one or more other energy generators for renewable energy for generating electrical energy for the laser beam device, in particular for the at least one laser beam generator. For example, the electrical energy generated can be used as direct current for the laser beam device, in particular for the at least one laser beam generator, since direct current is required for this. This eliminates the need for loss-prone conversion to alternating current.

[0018] The laser irradiation is advantageously directed onto a layer of the α-spodumene-containing, particularly comminuted, material, which heats the material very quickly, particularly through direct absorption of the laser radiation at the material's surface. A rough and jagged surface, as is common with ground rock, promotes the absorption of laser energy through multiple absorption. Since the change in lattice structures usually occurs very quickly once the appropriate temperature is reached, the laser irradiation only needs to continue until the inner regions of a rock grain have also reached this temperature through heat conduction. Due to the good controllability of the heat input via the aforementioned process parameters, this time can be limited to the minimum necessary interval using lasers.In contrast, in all furnace processes that are partially or completely based on heat conduction, there is also the heat transfer from the heated surrounding gas to the rock grains, which usually has to be supported by mixing / stirring the material or kinetic movement of the hot gases.

[0019] The laser intensity can be predefined or selected to prevent melting of the material's surface. Alternatively, for example, minimal melting can be accepted, which increases the absorption of the laser radiation and promotes an overall higher surface temperature and thus a faster transformation of the entire rock grain. However, this can reduce the yield of β-spodumene if the liquefied material does not solidify in the β-structure, which depends on the process parameters.

[0020] For example, a current heating temperature is determined by means of at least one temperature sensor, in particular a pyrometer. This enables control and / or regulation of the current heating temperature to ensure that the predetermined transition temperature is reached. Thus, in one possible embodiment, the device for carrying out the method comprises this temperature sensor, in particular the pyrometer.

[0021] In one possible embodiment of the method, the material containing α-spodumene is fed to the laser irradiation as a material stream by means of a conveyor device. In one possible embodiment of the device, the device comprises such a conveyor device.

[0022] The conveying device is designed, for example, as a conveyor belt, a screw conveyor, a pneumatic conveyor, a hopper, or a nozzle, or comprises at least one of these components. The material flow is guided, for example, on the conveyor belt or in free fall past the laser beam device that performs the laser irradiation, for example, via the conveyor belt or another conveying device, or falls through the hopper or nozzle past the laser beam device that performs the laser irradiation and is thereby laser irradiated.

[0023] The exposure time per volume element of the material containing α-spodumene can be adjusted, for example, by a relative speed, an irradiation area, and / or by arranging several laser beam generators in series. The intensity on the material containing α-spodumene, and thus the temperature or temperature profile, can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the laser power, speed, and / or focusing strength, and thus the power density. This allows for optimization to optimal temperatures orTemperature profiles of process steps can be carried out, in particular with regard to the predetermined conversion temperature, but in particular the device and the procedure for heating by means of laser irradiation can be used not only for the conversion of α-spodumene into β-spodumene, but also, for example, for further process steps in lithium extraction, which also require high temperatures.

[0024] In the method, in particular to ensure the predetermined transformation temperature, it can thus be provided, for example, that the material flow and / or the relative speed between the material containing the α-spodumene, in particular the material flow, and the laser irradiation and / or the irradiation area of ​​the laser irradiation and / or the laser power of the laser irradiation and / or a strength of the focusing of the laser irradiation are / is controlled and / or regulated as a function of the determined current heating temperature.

[0025] The material containing α-spodumene is laser-irradiated, for example, from one side of the material stream or from multiple sides, in particular from opposite sides, of the material stream. The respective side of the material stream is understood to mean, in particular, a surface side of the material stream. This means, in particular, the material stream is irradiated at a right angle or at an oblique angle to the flow direction of the material stream at the point of laser irradiation. For example, an angle in an angular range of approximately 20° to approximately 70°, for example in an angular range of approximately 40° to 50°, can have a value of 45° to a horizontally extending plane. The opposite sides of the material stream are understood to mean, accordingly, the opposite surface sides of the material stream.

[0026] Thus, in one possible embodiment, the laser irradiation can occur, for example, from one side of the material flow. For example, the material containing the α-spodumene is laser-irradiated while being conveyed on the conveyor belt, which is designed as a conveyor belt, and is thereby moved, for example, beneath the laser beam device. Alternatively, the laser irradiation can occur, for example, from multiple sides of the material flow, in particular from opposite sides. In particular, for this purpose, it is provided, for example, that the laser beam device has multiple laser beam generators, wherein the laser beam generators and the conveyor device are arranged such that the material flow can be guided past the laser beam generators by means of the conveyor device.For example, a directed material stream or material beam is generated by the conveying device, for example by the nozzle or the hopper or by the material containing the α-spodumene falling down at the end of the conveyor belt, which moves between the laser beam generators.

[0027] In order to prevent mutual laser irradiation of the opposing laser beam generators in the event of gaps in the material flow or in the absence of any material flow, and the resulting risk of damage, it can be provided, for example, that the laser beam generators or at least the laser radiation emitted by the respective laser beam generator are aligned at an angle other than 90° to the material flow, i.e. the respective laser beam generator or the laser radiation emitted by it is not aligned at the opposite laser beam generator, but rather past it. In the case of a vertically falling material flow, the respective laser beam generator or the laser radiation emitted by it is thus aligned, for example, diagonally downwards or diagonally upwards, but always in the direction of the material flow.

[0028] The described solution allows for direct heating only of the material containing the α-spodumene and not of the surrounding area. This disadvantage of heating in furnaces is thus avoided by the described solution.

[0029] The described solution does not require radio frequency shielding, which is necessary when heating by microwaves.

[0030] The described solution advantageously allows for precise temperature or temperature profile control. This enables optimization of the crystal transformation of α-spodumene into β-spodumene. As already described, the device and procedure for heating by laser irradiation can also be used, for example, for other process steps in lithium extraction.

[0031] As described, it can advantageously be provided that the electricity required for the laser irradiation is generated in an emission-free manner, for example by means of at least one wind turbine and / or solar cells. This makes it possible to avoid the use of fossil energy sources for the electrical energy supply in the process and in the device. This avoids corresponding carbon dioxide emissions and also allows cost advantages to be realized. Furthermore, the electricity generated in the described manner can be used immediately and thus particularly efficiently. For example, no conversion and storage are required. Thus, the described solution is, for example, also more efficient than converting renewable electricity into hydrogen and burning it to generate heat for furnaces in which the material containing the α-spodumene is heated. Furthermore, water is required for this conversion of electricity into hydrogen by electrolysis.Such water consumption can also be eliminated with the solution described.

[0032] In particular, the described solution enables further processing of the α-spodumene-containing material directly at or near the mining site. This avoids long material transport routes and the associated carbon dioxide emissions.

[0033] A further advantage of the described solution is that, unlike rotary kilns, which have previously been used to heat the α-spodumene-containing material for conversion to β-spodumene, the laser beam generators are wear-free, or at least largely wear-free. Thus, the corresponding maintenance effort and costs are eliminated.

[0034] The described solution can in principle also be transferred to other lithium-containing minerals, where a beneficial change or reformation of the lattice structure can be produced by heating to a transformation temperature below the melting temperature or by partial or complete melting / remelting close to the melting temperature.

[0035] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0036] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out a process for converting α-spodumene into β-spodumene, Fig. 2 schematically shows another embodiment of the device, Fig. 3 schematically shows another embodiment of the device, Fig. 4 schematically shows another embodiment of the device, and Fig. 5 schematically shows another embodiment of the device.

[0037] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0038] The Fig. 1 to 5 show, by way of example and in a highly simplified schematic, various embodiments of an apparatus 1 for carrying out a process for converting α-spodumene to β-spodumene. These schematic representations particularly illustrate basic principles of the process described in more detail below and of the apparatus 1 for carrying it out, described in more detail below.

[0039] Spodumene contains lithium, which is required in large quantities, for example, for drive batteries to supply electrical power to electric drive motors for vehicles. In nature, spodumene occurs as α-spodumene. In order to extract the lithium, it must be converted into β-spodumene. In the process described here, the α-spodumene is converted into β-spodumene by heating α-spodumene-containing material M1 by laser irradiation to a predetermined transformation temperature in a range of approximately 950°C to 1050°C, in particular 1000°C. The α-spodumene-containing material M1 is in particular crushed rock, in particular in the form of rock particles. After laser irradiation of the α-spodumene-containing material M1, β-spodumene-containing material M2 is thus obtained, which can then be further processed to extract lithium.

[0040] The solution described here, i.e. heating by at least one laser irradiation, enables a simpler and energy-saving extraction of lithium.

[0041] The device 1 for carrying out the method comprises a laser beam device 2 with at least one laser beam generator 3, wherein the laser beam device 2 is designed for laser irradiation of the α-spodumene-containing material M1 in order to heat it to a predetermined or predefined conversion temperature and thereby convert the α-spodumene into β-spodumene. The at least one or respective laser beam generator 3 comprises, in particular, at least one laser beam source and a beam-shaping device, in particular a focusing optics.

[0042] The α-spodumene-containing material M1 is heated to the specified conversion temperature, in particular by means of planar laser irradiation. For this purpose, one or more, in particular planar, laser beam generators 3 can be used. The laser radiation S enables a very targeted, controlled, or regulated energy input into the α-spodumene-containing material M1. The energy used is thus used particularly efficiently and with only very minimal losses to convert the α-spodumene into β-spodumene.

[0043] In particular, it is intended that the laser radiation S from one or more laser beam generators 3 be directed onto the surface of a layer of the material M1, in particular the comminuted material containing α-spodumene, where it is absorbed. There are no stringent beam quality requirements for this. Thus, for example, arrays of inexpensive conventional laser diodes or surface emitters can be used, which can then be focused using simple optical elements.

[0044] It is thus provided, for example, that the at least one laser beam generator 3 of the laser beam device 2 comprises at least one array of laser diodes and / or surface emitters. Alternatively, the at least one laser beam generator 3 of the laser beam device 2 can be, for example, a fiber-guided system, ie, in particular, comprise at least one laser light source and at least one optical fiber, in particular a fiber optic light guide.

[0045] The Fig. 1 to 5 show various embodiments of the laser beam device 2 by way of example. Thus, the laser beam device 2 of the Fig. 1, the device 1 comprises several individual laser beam generators 3 or fiber-guided lasers with focusing optics, each of which generates line-shaped laser beams S. The laser beam device 2 of the device shown in Fig. The device 1 shown in Figure 2 comprises a planar laser beam generator 3, for example with one or more diode laser arrays or vertically emitting lasers, ie, surface emitters (VCSEL). This achieves a quasi-planar laser irradiation by superimposing individual beams. The laser beam generators 3 of the laser beam device 2 of the device shown in Figures Fig. The embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 5 can be designed, for example, as shown in Fig. 1 or as in Fig. 2, ie in particular as several individual lasers or as a single planar laser.

[0046] For example, a current heating temperature is determined by means of at least one temperature sensor, in particular a pyrometer. This enables control and / or regulation of the current heating temperature to ensure that the predetermined transformation temperature is reached. Thus, in one possible embodiment, the device 1 for carrying out the method comprises this temperature sensor, in particular the pyrometer. Fig. This is not shown in 1 to 5.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiments, the α-spodumene-containing material M1 is fed to the laser irradiation as a material stream by means of a conveyor device 4. The device 1 thus comprises this conveyor device 4.

[0048] The conveyor device 4 is designed, for example, as a conveyor belt 5 or comprises such a conveyor belt 5, as in the Fig. 1 to 3. In the examples according to the Fig. 1 to 3 also comprise, for example, a screw conveyor, screw conveyor, pneumatic conveyor, hopper or a nozzle 6 for feeding Z the α-spodumene-containing material M1 in the form of crushed rock to the conveyor belt 5. In the embodiments according to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the conveying device 4 does not have a conveyor belt 5, for example, but only the screw conveyor, screw conveyor, pneumatic conveyor, hopper or nozzle 6.

[0049] The material flow is, for example, on the conveyor 4, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, or in free fall, as shown in the Fig. 3 to 5, is guided past the laser beam device 2 carrying out the laser irradiation, for example via the conveyor belt 5, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 3, or via the nozzle 6 or another conveying device 4, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the material flow is moved on the conveyor belt 5 past the laser beam device 2 carrying out the laser irradiation, as in Fig. 1 by means of a conveyor belt movement arrow FP, and is thereby laser irradiated. In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the material flow falls past the laser beam device 2 carrying out the laser irradiation, as in Fig. 3 by means of a material movement arrow MP, and is thereby laser irradiated.

[0050] An exposure time per volume element of the α-spodumene-containing material M1 can be adjusted, for example, by a relative speed, an irradiation area, and / or by arranging several laser beam generators 3 in series. An intensity on the α-spodumene-containing material M1, and thus the temperature or a temperature profile, can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting a laser power, speed, and focusing strength, and thus a power density. This allows optimization for optimal temperatures or temperature profiles, particularly with respect to the specified transition temperature.

[0051] In the method, in particular to ensure the predetermined transformation temperature, it can thus be provided, for example, that the material flow and / or the relative speed between the material M1 containing the α-spodumene, in particular the material flow, and the laser irradiation and / or the irradiation area of ​​the laser irradiation and / or the laser power of the laser irradiation and / or a strength of the focusing of the laser irradiation are / is controlled and / or regulated as a function of the determined current heating temperature.

[0052] In the embodiments according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the α-spodumene-containing material M1 is laser irradiated from one side of the material flow, here from above, in the examples according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, while it is conveyed by the conveying device 4, in particular by the conveyor belt 5, in particular under the laser beam device 2.

[0053] In the embodiments according to the Fig. 3 to 5, the α-spodumene-containing material M1 is laser-irradiated from several sides, here from opposite sides, of the material flow, in particular while the α-spodumene-containing material M1, ie the material flow, falls in free fall through the laser beam device 2. For this purpose, in the examples shown according to the Fig. 3 to 5, it is provided that the laser beam device 2 has a plurality of laser beam generators 3, wherein the laser beam generators 3 and the conveyor device 4 are arranged such that the material flow can be guided past the laser beam generators 3 of the laser beam device 2 by means of the conveyor device 4. This is achieved in the examples shown by the conveyor device 4, for example through the nozzle 6 or the funnel or by the material M1 containing the α-spodumene falling down at the end of the conveyor belt 5, generating a directed material flow or material beam that moves through the laser beam generators 3.

[0054] In order to avoid mutual laser irradiation of the opposing laser beam generators 3 in the event of gaps in the material flow or in the absence of a material flow and the resulting risk of damage, in the embodiments according to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, it is provided that the laser beam generators 3 or at least the laser radiation S emitted by the respective laser beam generator 3 are / is aligned at an angle χ deviating from 90° to the material flow, ie the respective laser beam generator 3 or the laser radiation S emitted by it is not aligned with the opposite laser beam generator 3, but rather past it. In the vertically falling material flow, the respective laser beam generator 3 or the laser radiation S emitted by it is thus aligned, for example, obliquely downwards, as in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, or oriented diagonally upwards, but always in the direction of the material flow.

[0055] The features and advantages described herein with respect to the process for converting α spodumene to β spodumene also apply to the apparatus described herein and vice versa. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 laser beam device 3 laser beam generators 4 Conveyor system 5 Conveyor belt 6 nozzle FP conveyor belt movement arrow M1 α-spodumene-containing material M2 β-spodumene-containing material MP material movement arrow S laser radiation Z supply χ angle QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 1 064 935 B

[0002]

Claims

[1] A process for converting α-spodumene into β-spodumene, wherein the α-spodumene is converted into the β-spodumene by heating material (M1) containing α-spodumene to a predetermined conversion temperature, characterized by that the material (M1) containing α-spodumene is heated to the predetermined transformation temperature by means of laser irradiation. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the α-spodumene-containing material (M1) is fed to the laser irradiation as a material stream by means of a conveying device (4). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that the material flow is guided on the conveyor device (4) or in free fall past a laser beam device (2) carrying out the laser irradiation. [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized bythat the material (M1) comprising α-spodumene is laser irradiated from one side of the material stream or from opposite sides of the material stream. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a current heating temperature is determined using a pyrometer. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by , that - the material flow and / or - a relative velocity between the material containing the α-spodumene (M1) and the laser irradiation and / or - an irradiation area of the laser irradiation and / or - a laser power of the laser irradiation and / or - the intensity of the laser irradiation focusing is controlled and / or regulated depending on the determined current heating temperature. [7] Device (1) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a laser beam device (2) with at least one laser beam generator (3), wherein the laser beam device (2) is designed for laser irradiation of the α-spodumene-containing material (M1) in order to heat it to the predetermined transformation temperature. [8] Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the at least one laser beam generator (3) has an array of laser diodes or surface emitters. [9] Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the conveyor device (4). [10] Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the laser beam device (2) has a plurality of laser beam generators (3), wherein the laser beam generators (3) and the conveying device (4) are arranged in such a way that the material flow can be guided past the laser beam generators (3) by means of the conveying device (4).

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