A system and method of fluid sterilization is provided which incorporates a heating section to heat pressurized fluid above prescribed thresholds for temperature pressure and duration (e.g. dwell time) to achieve desired levels of sterilization including a heat exchanger to both (a) preheat fluid prior to entering the heating section and (b) cool outflow of the heating apparatus in which fluid travels through the apparatus by operating valves forward and aft of the heating section in a controlled sequence to facilitate flow through the system while maintaining prescribed pressure and temperature profiles. The system operates within prescribed ranges of pressure and temperature to achieve the desired level of sterilization without need of maintaining a fixed temperature or a fixed pressure within any portion of the system including the heating section.
