The History and Significance of the Carbon Oxide Ratio

This paper describes the traditional interpretation of the CO CO2/CO ratio as it relates to dissolved gas analysis and what new research has revealed about the ratio in recent years. The industry at large has considered this ratio as a single number, for diagnostic purposes, at a given point in time. New information suggests that this is likely not the most beneficial position to take. Traditionally the ratio has been used as an indicator of the thermal decomposition of cellulose. More recent research of this topic has revealed that this ratio may even predict the deterioration of cellulose prior to any thermal acceleration.