U.K.-based Stanhope-Seta Ltd. has launched a new handheld device to measure biodiesel content in fuel.

The company says since many vehicle manufacturers limit their warranty liability to certain concentrations of biodiesel, the new device, called the Estercheck, is recommended for users. In addition, Stanhope-Seta recommends the portable instrument for fuel producers and blenders to determine the precise volume of biodiesel in blends, as failure to do so may lead to financial penalty, liability claims and loss of market confidence in the fuel supply. The company says those storing and distributing fuel have the same liability issues.

The new Estercheck testing instrument uses micro mid-range infrared built into a handheld measurement platform. It requires no warm up time and uses a simple three-step test procedure. Results are provided in less than a minute with accuracy down to 0.2 percent biodiesel content. The testable biodiesel content range for the instrument is 0.2 percent to 60 percent.

Jess Lakin, marketing executive with Sanhope-Seta, says the Estercheck differs from similar instruments that test biodiesel concentrations in diesel fuel in a number of ways.

“It makes testing biodiesel really easy as it is truly portable and pocket-sized for easy use in the field,” Lakin tells Biodiesel Magazine. “It weighs just 1.4 kilograms and will operate for 200-plus tests on a single recharge. The Estercheck doesn’t require warm-up time, allowing users to switch the product on and start testing immediately. And it uses a very simple operation with just three button presses to make a test.”