Device and method for measuring tar in a tar-environment

A device for measuring tar inside a tar-environment, comprising:

• at least one light generating element configured for generating light,
• the device being configured such that the light has:
• a first wavelength less than 340 nm, whereby light is absorbed by both tar-elements and non-tar elements;
• and
• a second wavelength equal to or greater than 340 nm, whereby light is absorbed by non-tar elements, and
• the device being further configured such that the light has an optical path length through the tar-environment;
• at least one light detection element for receiving the light from the at least one light generating element and configured for obtaining:
• a first light signal from the light having the first wavelength less than 340 nm,
• a second light signal from the light having the second wavelength equal to or greater than 340 nm;
• a processing unit configured for deducing a first absorbance value from the first light signal and configured for deducing a second absorbance value from the second light signal and relating the second absorbance value to the first absorbance value, thereby obtaining an non-tar compensated absorbance value, and the processing unit further configured for correlating the non-tar compensated absorbance value to a measure of tar in the gas inside the tar-environment;
• and
• a controller, wherein the controller is configured to regulate an air intake into the tar-environment based on the measure of tar inside the tar-environment.

A method for measuring tar inside a tar-environment and for controlling a level of air intake in the tar-environment, comprising the steps of:

• generating light from at least one light generating element,
• emitting light into the tar environment such that the light has:
• i. a first wavelength less than 340 nm, whereby light is absorbed by both tar-elements and non-tar elements;
• and
• ii. a second wavelength equal to or greater than 340 nm, whereby light is absorbed by non-tar elements;
• directing the light onto at least one light detection element, such that said light has an optical path length through the tar-environment;
• obtaining a first light signal from the light having the wavelength less than 340 nm;
• obtaining a second light signal from the light having the wavelength equal to or greater than 340 nm;
• deducing a first absorbance value from the first light signal;
• deducing a second absorbance value from the second light signal;
• deducing a non-tar compensated absorbance value by relating the second absorbance value to the first absorbance value;
• correlating the non-tar compensated absorbance value to a measure of tar inside the tar-environment;
• and
• adjusting the level of the air intake based on the measure of tar inside the tar-environment.