Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to methods for heating or cooling a media in a indirect heat exchanger. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the indirect heat exchanger is a shell and tube heat exchanger where the tube is coiled within the shell and the coiled tube includes baffles at least every third coil. The media is passed through the coiled tube and a coolant or heat source flows through the surrounding shell such that the coolant or heat source floods the entire shell. The baffles redirect the coolant or the heat source in such a way as to cause turbulent flow. This turbulent flow allows the heat transfer process to be conducted in a uniform and highly efficient manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a tube of semi-rigid material at a predetermined point to make possible separate removal of the contents of the tube on either side of the cutting point comprises a flat blade and jaws which together define a longitudinal channel suitable for receiving and gripping the tube for the greater part of its periphery. The jaws are provided with a slit which intersects the channel transversely over the whole of its cross-sectional periphery. Additionally means for relatively moving the blade and jaws are provided so that the blade penetrates the slit and its cutting edge passes transversely through the channel, thus cutting the tube, until the blade covers the section of the channel level with the slit, and provides a seal to both parts of the tube after cutting.