WTW OxiTop BOX Biochemical Incubator for BOD Analysis

Overview

The WTW OxiTop BOX is a precision-engineered biochemical incubator specifically designed for standardized biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) analysis in accordance with ISO 5815-1:2019, ISO 5815-2:2019, and ASTM D5210–17. It provides thermally stable, contamination-controlled environments essential for the 5-day aerobic biodegradation measurement of organic pollutants in water and wastewater samples. Unlike general-purpose incubators, the OxiTop BOX integrates structural and electrical features optimized for seamless integration with WTW’s OxiTop® IS/IC BOD measurement systems—including magnetic stirrer bases, pressure-tight sample vessels, and headspace oxygen sensors. Its forced-air circulation system ensures uniform temperature distribution across all shelves (±0.5 °C homogeneity), while the R-600a refrigeration circuit enables precise low-temperature stabilization down to 10 °C—critical for cold-water effluent or low-BOD surface water testing.

Key Features

• Thermostatic control from 10 °C to 40 °C in 1 °C increments, with ±1 °C long-term stability over 120 h (per ISO 5815 validation protocols)
• Transparent double-glazed glass door with anti-fog coating—enables non-invasive visual monitoring and remote operation of OxiTop® IS/IC controllers without thermal disturbance
• Dedicated internal power outlets (1–4 units depending on model) supplying 24 V DC or 120/230 V AC to drive magnetic stirrers and sensor modules directly inside the chamber
• Modular configuration options: TS 608/2-i (1 shelf, 180 L), TS 608G/2-i (2 shelves, 360 L), TS 608/4-i & TS 608G/4-i (4 shelves, 500 L), and TS 1008-i (high-capacity variant for 1.5 L BOD bottles)
• Energy-efficient R-600a refrigerant system compliant with EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014; no ozone-depleting substances
• Robust stainless-steel interior with rounded corners and removable shelves for full cleanability and GLP-compliant maintenance logging

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OxiTop BOX accommodates standard 6- or 12-bottle OxiTop® BOD configurations per shelf, supporting both conventional sealed vials and large-volume (1.5 L) test vessels. All models meet IEC 61000-6-3 (emissions) and IEC 61000-6-4 (immunity) for laboratory electromagnetic compatibility. The incubator is CE-marked and conforms to EN 61326-1 for electrical safety in measurement and control equipment. For regulated environments—including drinking water laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017—the unit supports audit-ready documentation of temperature logs (via optional external data logger interface) and satisfies traceability requirements under DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7. Its operational range (10–32 °C ambient) and storage specification (−25–+50 °C) ensure reliability across diverse climate zones and facility infrastructures.

Software & Data Management

While the OxiTop BOX itself operates as a hardware platform without embedded firmware or touchscreen UI, it is fully interoperable with WTW’s OxiTop® Control software (v3.5+), which runs on external Windows-based PCs. This software enables automated BOD calculation per ISO 5815 algorithms, real-time plotting of dissolved oxygen depletion curves, batch report generation (PDF/CSV), and export of raw sensor data with timestamped metadata. When used in conjunction with OxiTop® IC systems equipped with RFID bottle identification, the software enforces sample chain-of-custody tracking. All generated reports include instrument ID, calibration history references, and user-defined QC checkpoints—supporting compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated electronic signature workflows.

Applications

• Regulatory BOD₅ testing for municipal wastewater discharge permits (e.g., EPA NPDES, EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive)
• Biodegradability screening of industrial effluents and chemical formulations per OECD 301 series guidelines
• Research-scale oxygen uptake rate (OUR) measurements in activated sludge respirometry studies
• Environmental monitoring of river, lake, and groundwater quality in national water assessment programs
• Validation of membrane bioreactor (MBR) and sequencing batch reactor (SBR) performance under controlled temperature conditions

FAQ

Does the OxiTop BOX include integrated data logging capability?
No—the unit does not feature built-in memory or Ethernet/Wi-Fi connectivity. Continuous temperature monitoring requires an external calibrated data logger connected via the rear analog output port (0–10 V or 4–20 mA).
Can the incubator be used for applications other than BOD analysis?
Yes—its stable temperature control and uniform airflow make it suitable for general microbiological incubation, seed germination studies, and enzymatic activity assays—but it is not certified for cell culture or sterile applications.
Is the R-600a refrigerant serviceable by standard HVAC technicians?
Only certified refrigeration engineers holding EU F-Gas Category I or II certification may handle R-600a due to its flammability classification (A3). WTW recommends factory-authorized service partners for compressor or refrigerant loop maintenance.
What is the recommended calibration frequency for temperature verification?
Per ISO/IEC 17025:2017, independent temperature mapping using NIST-traceable PT100 probes should be performed at installation, after relocation, and annually thereafter—or before each high-stakes regulatory submission.
Are spare parts and consumables available globally?
Yes—WTW maintains regional distribution hubs in North America, EMEA, and APAC. Key spares (glass door gaskets, fan assemblies, power outlet modules) are stocked with ≤5 business day lead time under standard terms.