An easily-realized heat pump intermittent pasteurization machine was designed. Its structure and working processes were studied, and its key components were chosen or designed, including the bactericidal vessel, the hot water tank, the cool water tank and the heat pump. Based on detailed calculation of its working period and energy consumption, a comprehensive comparison was given between the heat pump intermittent pasteurization machine and normal pasteurization machine. The results show that the heat pump intermittent pasteurization machine has marked advantages: besides its long working life and high safety, the running power and energy consumption of the heat pump intermittent pasteurization machine is about 1/4 and 1/5 of those of the normal pasteurization machine with little difference between their initial cost.