Patent ID: 8640609

Claim:
A device for pasteurizing a mass of foodstuff, which device comprises: a feed through which said mass can be supplied under pressure to the device at a determined flow rate; first heating means, comprising: a first tube, connecting to the feed, of an electrically and magnetically inert material suitable for contact with foods; and two plate-like electrodes which are situated outside of the first tube and which are connected to an RF power generator which generates energy at a frequency in the range of about 10-50 MHz to the electrodes such that the mass present in the first tube is heated dielectrically during a first residence time in this first tube; a first jacket filled with a heatable first liquid and extending around the first tube and the electrodes wherein said electrodes are immersed in said first liquid and each electrode has a form corresponding with the external shape of said tube; and a second heating means which connects to the first tube and in which the hot mass is held at practically constant temperature during a second residence time in this second tube; at the end of which second heating means the hot mass is discharged for further processing.