Problem to be solved: to provide a sterilizing apparatus and a sterilization method for preventing the contamination in the apparatus by drainage by reducing the amount of utility for inactivation of steam and cooling of the cooling source.The first tank 16 to which the treatment liquid is suppliedHeater 71 for heating the treated solution to sterilization temperatureHolding means for holding the heated solution for a predetermined timeA cooler 73 for cooling the treated liquid fed from the holding means by a heat exchange medium and sending it to a drainage tank74A preheater 70 which is disposed upstream of the heater and preheating the treated solution prior to heating by the heat exchange mediumA first conduit that feeds the heated heat exchange medium to the preheaterIncludes a second conduit for sending the cooled heat exchange medium to the cooler；A circulation path having a pump for circulating the heat exchange medium between the preheater / coolerA third conduit for delivering the liquid to be delivered from the holding means to the coolerA fourth conduit for returning the treated solution to the first tankA continuous sterilizing apparatus comprising a first switching means for switching the flow path from the holding means between the third and fourth pipes.Diagram【課題】蒸気の使用量と冷却の冷熱源という不活性化のためのユーティリティ量を削減しつつ排液による装置内の汚染を確実に防止する殺菌装置及び殺菌方法の提供。【解決手段】被処理液が供給される第１タンク１６、被処理液を滅菌温度に加熱する加熱器７１、加熱された被処理液を所定時間保持する保持手段、熱交換媒体により保持手段から送出された被処理液を冷却して排水槽に送出する冷却器７３，７４、加熱器の上流側に配置され熱交換媒体により加熱前の被処理液を予熱する予熱器７０、加温された熱交換媒体を予熱器に送る第１管路、冷却された熱交換媒体を冷却器に送る第２管路とを含み、熱交換媒体を予熱器／冷却器の間で循環させるポンプを備える循環路、保持手段から送出される被処理液を冷却器に送出する第３管路、同被処理液を第１タンクに戻す第４管路、保持手段からの流路を第３管路と第４管路との間で切り替える第１切替手段とを備えた連続殺菌装置。【選択図】図２
