Methods for operating a pasteurizing device

A method for operating a pasteurizing device for pasteurizing foods filled into sealed containers, comprising:

• transporting sealed containers of food through multiple treatment zones in a transport direction by means of a transport means, the treatment zones including at least one warm-up zone, at least one pasteurizing zone following the warm-up zone in the transport direction, and at least one cool-down zone following the pasteurizing zone in the transport direction,
• treating the foods in the treatment zones by applying a tempered, aqueous treatment liquid to an exterior of the containers, wherein treatment liquid with a specific temperature is supplied to each treatment zone via a feed pipe, such that the foods in the sealed containers are pre-heated in the at least one warm-up zone, heated to a pasteurizing temperature in the at least one pasteurizing zone, and cooled down in the at least one cool-down zone,
• and wherein:
• the treatment liquid is collected in the treatment zones after application to the containers, and collected treatment liquid is re-supplied to at least one treatment zone for reuse via circulation circuit pipes of a circulation circuit,
• at least one process chemical is added to the treatment liquid, and
• at least one actual value of a concentration of at least one process chemical added and/or of at least one internal standard added is detected by means of at least one concentration measurement sensor at at least one measurement point, and, on the basis of the actual value detected by means of the at least one concentration measurement sensor at the at least one measurement point, a concentration of the at least one process chemical added is manipulated, with regard to a specifiable target value for the concentration of the at least one process chemical added and/or of the at least one internal standard added, by apportioning the at least one process chemical added by means of at least one dosing means at at least one dosing point.