Abstract: A tunnel pasteurizer having a tunnel, through which the material to be pasteurized is conducted and sprayed or sprinkled with water, and with a trap region for the draining water arranged on the bottom of the tunnel, pasteurizer and a plurality of temperature zones arranged in the transport direction, and the trap region is divided into separate trap zones which correspond to the temperature zones, from which the water is re-supplied to the respective tunnel zones, and comprising a control means for controlling the water temperature in the temperature zones. To improve control of the temperature in the individual temperature zones, the control and the tubing of the trap zones is adapted such that water can selectively be taken from the individual trap zones for temperature control and can selectively be returned to other temperature zones, wherein water is buffered in the individual temperature zones separate from other temperature zones in a respective zone buffer.

Abstract: A pasteurizer with a conveyor belt for transporting the goods to be pasteurized, the conveyor belt having an endless structure 39 comprising several metal bodies 13, 22, and several plastic pieces 30 forming the conveyor surface 38 being coupled to the structure 39. Also, a conveyor belt, in particular for a pasteurizer, comprising an endless structure having several metal bodies, with several plastic pieces 30 forming the conveyor surface 38 being coupled to the structure 39. Also, a conveyor belt, in particular for a pasteurizer, the conveyor belt 3 comprising several identical modules 29 in the longitudinal as well as in the transverse direction, each module 29 having several identical bodies in the longitudinal as well as in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A method for adjusting or controlling the temperature of water released for product pasteurization, by taking into consideration the heat transfer into the products for the control of the water temperature. Further, a method for adjusting or controlling the water temperature for the water released for product pasteurization in several superimposed decks, by taking into consideration the water temperature in at least one deck located below the upper deck for the control of the water temperature. Also, corresponding pasteurization tunnels as well as a pasteurization tunnel with at least three superimposed decks, where the water for at least three decks is released to the products in the uppermost deck.