Evaluation of the uncertainty associated to tar sampling with solid phase adsorption cartridges

•The main sources of uncertainty associated to SPA tar quantification were evaluated.•Global uncertainty was calculated.•Extraction step generates the highest source of uncertainty.•The uncertainty of the two more widely tar sampling methods used are compared.•Lower expanded uncertainty was found for SPA tar sampling over traditional one.

The uncertainty evaluation associated with the quantification of tar with the use of solid phase adsorption for tar sampling and gas chromatography analysis is present. The study shows that the major contribution to the overall uncertainty is related to the extraction step. Relevant tar compounds are selected and used as model to quantify the uncertainty and for comparison with the uncertainty associates to the traditional methodology for tar sampling. The study indicates that the uncertainty associated to the tar sampling with solid phase adsorption cartridges is lower than the uncertainty associated to the tar sampling with impinger bottles.