CO/CO2 Ratio Calculator

| Added in Chemistry

The CO/CO2 ratio is an important parameter in combustion analysis and environmental monitoring. It represents the relationship between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations.

Formula

$$\text{CO/CO2 Ratio} = \frac{\text{CO Concentration}}{\text{CO2 Concentration}}$$

Where both concentrations are measured in parts per million (ppm).

Example Calculation

If you measure 500 ppm of CO and 1000 ppm of CO2:

$$\text{Ratio} = \frac{500}{1000} = 0.5$$

This relatively high ratio would indicate incomplete combustion and warrants further investigation.

Applications

  • Combustion efficiency monitoring: Lower ratios indicate more complete fuel combustion
  • Environmental monitoring: Helps assess air quality and emissions
  • Industrial process control: Used to optimize burner performance
  • Safety assessments: High CO levels relative to CO2 can indicate dangerous conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

The CO/CO2 ratio indicates combustion efficiency. A lower ratio typically suggests more complete combustion, while a higher ratio may indicate incomplete combustion or other process issues.

For efficient combustion processes, the CO/CO2 ratio is typically very low (less than 0.01). Higher values may indicate combustion problems or environmental concerns.

Measuring both gases helps assess combustion quality, environmental impact, and potential safety concerns. CO is toxic while CO2 is a greenhouse gas, so their ratio provides valuable process information.