Abstract: Heat exchange between a fluid and products in sealed containers is effected by the homogeneous repartition at an adjustable flow rate of a liquid in the course of the successive phases of the heat exchange cycle, by streaming at all points of a large and compact batch of the containers along the walls of each of the containers. The fluid circulates continuously over the containers, in the course of successive phases of the heat treatment, after the temperature of said fluid has been readjusted, within a same heat treatment operation, or regulated from one heat treatment operation to the following one. The pressure, or the vacuum, if necessary for the heat treatment, is regulated independently of the temperature. The apparatus for performing this method has a fluid distributing device comprising at least one perforated plate and a number of perforated divider plates.