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• Shell Water Detector Capsules are used for detecting suspended water in Jet A1 fuel that cannot be detected by visual inspections.
• They are manufactured to a high-quality requirement for reliable testing throughout the fuel supply chain.
• The presence of water is indicated by a change in colour of the centre portion of the detector capsule.
  • Changes from faint yellow to green if water is detected.
• Each box contains 8 tubes with 10 capsules per tube.
  • (Total: 80 Shell Water detectors).

Proper handling and usage of Shell Water Detector Capsules is essential to ensure the accuracy of your fuel testing process. Below is a step-by-step guide to using these capsules effectively, along with important safety and storage considerations.

Step 1: Check the Equipment

• Water Detector Capsule: Inspect the bottom of the capsule tube to verify that the capsules have not exceeded their expiry date.
• 5 ml Syringe: Ensure the syringe is functioning properly, with the plunger moving freely and the nozzle intact.
• Glass Jar or Closed Circuit Sample: Confirm that the sample jar is clean and free from any water contamination.

Step 2: Fit the Capsule

• Remove a capsule from the tube, handling it carefully to avoid contact with the yellow paper or exposure to moisture.
• Immediately close the tube to prevent ambient humidity from affecting the remaining capsules.
• Check the capsule’s paper for uniform yellow coloring; if there are any inconsistencies, discard the capsule and select another.
• Attach the capsule to the syringe while keeping the plunger depressed.

Step 3: Draw a Sample

• Use the fuel sample previously collected for a visual inspection.
• If a sample has not yet been taken, follow the visual “clear and bright” procedure to obtain one.

Step 4: Immerse the Capsule

• Submerge the capsule and roughly half of the syringe into the fuel sample, using a gentle circular motion.
• For safety, ensure you are wearing gloves that are resistant to fuel.

Step 5: Draw Fuel into the Syringe

• Slowly pull the plunger to draw 5 ml of the fuel sample into the syringe.

Step 6: Examine the Capsule

• Immediately after drawing the sample, remove the syringe from the fuel and inspect the capsule for any color change in the center wetted area.

Step 7: Interpret the Results

• No Color Change: The fuel sample is acceptable and free from significant water contamination.
• Slight Yellow/Green Change: This indicates very low dispersed water concentrations.
• Green Speckles or Color Change: A “trace” of water is present; a more distinct green color indicates “suspended water.”

Step 8: After Sampling

• Safely dispose of the used capsule, as each capsule is intended for single-use only.
• Return the contents of the syringe to the sample container, then transfer it back to the recovery tank.
• Complete any necessary documentation, noting the results of the test, particularly if any water was detected.