Filling line for heat-treating and filling a liquid into containers

The method for heat-treating and filling a liquid into containers using a filling line comprising a pre-heater, a heater, a cooler, and a filling unit, the method comprising:

• pre-heating the liquid using the pre-heater, wherein the pre-heater is configured as a first heat exchanger and comprises a first coolant circuit;
• heating the liquid, after the pre-heating, using the heater;
• cooling down the liquid, after the heating, using the cooler, wherein the cooler is configured as a second heat exchanger and comprises a second coolant circuit;
• and
• filling the liquid into the containers using the filling unit;
• wherein the filling line is suitable for both hot filling and cold filling, wherein a first liquid path from the pre-heater to the filling unit for hot filling differs from a second liquid path from the pre-heater to the filling unit for cold filling, and wherein the filling line comprises a switching mechanism for switching between the first liquid path and the second liquid path, the switching mechanism comprising at least one of a) a panel in which tube ends are connectable using connection members that are connectable and disconnectable or b) a valve cluster which allows connections of different tubes by valves;
• wherein the method further comprises switching between a first setting and a second setting using a switch comprising a plurality of valves;
• operating the first coolant circuit and the second coolant circuit as separate coolant circuits while the first setting is selected;
• and
• operating the first and second coolant circuits as a combined coolant circuit while the second setting is selected.