For those “NaySayers” that can't understand why utilizing propane is safe, or how it allows for 50,000 shots on a 16oz tank, take a look at this,

The basic reaction as far as I can tell is down toward the bottom:

Here is some things that will help some understand it a little easier.  C₃H_8(g)= Gaseous Propane, O_2(g)= Air, H₂O_(g)= Gaseous Water, CO_2(g)= Gaseous Carbon Dioxide ; (NONE OF THESE COMPOUNDS ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS MIND YOU)

Ignition is the catalyst that initiates the break-up of the propane molecule.  This particular type of reaction is known a “Reduction-Oxidization” reaction, or for brevity many go by the term “REDOX Reaction”.  In lay-men's terms a redox reaction is a reaction in which, an atom of a particular substance becomes more negatively charged by gaining electrons from another atom that is losing the same number of electrons.  Thus one atom becomes more positively charged and one atom becomes more negatively charged in the product of the reaction.

In this case the Carbon gains 6 electrons becoming CO2.  Because of the fact that this reaction is utilizing the oxygen in the air around us to expand the propane into CO2 and water (remember the air around us is free) we are able to get exponentially more shots per tank with less stored gas.  Please keep in mind that the propane is NOT exploding, but rather burning quickly, which is evidence of the transfer of electrons and which allows the Propane to become CO2 and water through the breakup of its constituent elements.

M98Ranger wrote: 1 C3H8(g) + 5 O2(g) ----> 3 CO2(g) + 4 H2O(g) + heat So to explain this reaction formula we say: 1Propane Molecule + 5 dioxide molecules react to form 3 Carbon-dioxide molecules + 4 Water molecules + a little heat.  Hardly dangerous.

o it is all clear now

M98Ranger wrote: is it really that difficult to understand?

Translation:  I get off on posting chemistry details that most people won't understand, and those that do understand don't need to hear, for reasons known only to me.

Seriously.  Who did you think you were helping with this thread?  This is useless info, and you know it.

Ha. if you don't like it then don't read it.  If you can't understand it don't go hating.  My little 15 year old brother understood it fine when I talked to him over the phone.  Who did I think I was helping with this thread?  ...Who are you?  dorky little kid.  Ha. THis must be your thread eh?  Oh my bad sweetie, I will try not to make you cry in the future.

And USELESS infor?  I suppose it depends if you have enough brains to use it.  And I think we both know the answer to that now don't we.

PS the reason I like to post information like this is because I am a mechanical engineer major and so this stuff interests me and I noticed that a lot of you kids were confused about propane and whether or not it is dangerous.

Who/what I am is not important.

Let me break it down further.  There are two categories of people on this forum:

1.  People who will not understand your post, for lack of basic chemistry knowledge.

2.  People who will understand your post, because they do have basic chemistry knowledge.

Your post is obviously useless to group 1.  It is also useless to group 2, however, because (as you point out) it really is rather simple.

So you are posting info that most people here won't understand at all, and those few that do understand it won't care, because it is rather obvious, and you aren't telling them anything they didn't already know.

I appreciate your desire to discuss chemistry due to your own interest in the subject.  But let's be honest - the only person benefiting from this thread is you.

Thanks for your "honest" OPINION.  However I don't agree that a person has to have an understanding of chemistry to understand and have an appreciation for the ingenuitive way that somebody came up with the idea to utilize the air around us to propel paintball guns.

And before you ask me why I didn't just say that in the first place, it is because if I was to put only that without any explanation people would be right in telling me that it sounds like I am filling them full of smoke.  Also, my brother has never taken physics or chemistry.  I think you and I oughta just agree to disagree and if you don't like it then don't read it.  Otherwise take it for what its worth and go on with your life.  But don't patronize me (or whatever you call that).

Hades wrote: I didnt bother to read the post because I dont care but with some modding is it possible to make a flame thrower? Maybe the paintball flame thrower isnt such a bad idea after all. I was thinking of getting a paintsprayer and generator to make my flame thrower...

Probably not, because you would need a constant source for a flame thrower.  Hehe...but that is kind of funny to think of somebody torching guys out of a bunker in a woodsball game.....or kind to think of it even in an x-ball game.

if i read it right, your chemical equation only states the product of applying heat to propane. i didnt read the whole thing, so you know. basically, you said the "exhaust" of the propane piston is harmless, but this is not what the forumers are concerned about. forumers are worried about a stray spark ignighting the whole tank, shooting flames out of the barrel, and the stinky identifier in propane. the equation you posted helps no one. sadly.

If the product of Propane = CO2 and water then common sense would tell you that if a large amount went off in an open area NOTHING would happen.

Additionally as a canister of Propane is reportedly pressurized to over 100psi, the 17psi of atmospheric pressure is not going to be enough to put a "STRAY SPARK" into the confines of the tank, which is what would have to happen in order for an explosion to "ignite the WHOLE TANK".

The SAD part is that no matter how simply I try to explain it to you, apparently you can't understand the concepts I am describing.  Sad

and YOU are missing my point: i am not afraid of it. i have total confidence in tippmann. most of the fearful forumers are noobs, and they couldnt care less if it goes off in an open area. no one does. what they are afraid of is the tank exploding IN THEIR FACE!!! common sense dictates this fear. the c-3 runs on an ignition system, lighting the propane on fire. a backfire into the propane tank while you are shooting and having the tank 'splode in your face is what scares people.

its sad that you are arguing a point that is irrevelant to the case in point. sad.

Justice wrote: propane. Less pressure.

No offense dude, but someone who throws a tank into the fire is an idiot....

We've been using propane for decades for everything, people have it running to thier homes for thier stoves, ranges, furnaces etc...aka open flames in your house. How is this any different? If your a moron without common sense then this gun isnt for you, hell, paintball isnt for you. Yea it can explode in flames. Not like the shrapnel is gonna kill you first . Yea and those 5000psi HPA tanks arent dangerous...

Good post M98Ranger. Sometimes people are so narrow minded it hurts.

Jackal14 wrote: M98Ranger good post and information... i understood it. I dont see why these **edited**s have to argue about it... you give them helpful information they talk crap.... you ask them a question... call you a noob and talk crap.... anyhow.. good post/good info

Thanks for the understanding man.  It makes me feel alright that there are some people out their that think similar to me.

Guys if you dont understand this then you should have stuck in at school this is BASIC chemistry.

If you want a BOOM get a lump of Ceasium the size of a car then throw it in your bathtub!

LMAO...Ceasium...

Nice post M98Ranger. It completed my understanding of the C-3. And DeTrevni, would it really have been that hard to just let it go? Anyway, I officially propose this thread as the best C-3 thread yet. Anyone else agree with me?

1 C₃H_8(g) + 5 O_2(g) ----> 3 CO_2(g) + 4 H₂O_(g) + heat

Blue= Propane Molecule
Red= Dioxide Molecule
Green= Carbon Dioxide Molecule
Pantone= Water Molecule

There, that's what each one of those formulas equates to for those who don't know. If I understand correctly, what he is saying is that propane (the blue and red parts) react to form Co2 (the green part) and Water (the pantone part) and minimal ammount of heat makes it safer because of the stability? I dunno, not a big chemistry buff.

None the less, I side with Hades. Anyone can come one here and throw up equations in hope to make themselves look smart, but you only suceed in making yourself look pompus.

were gettingone in the shop tomarrow, and we are going to try everything humanly possible to make it blow up. If we find that there is a possiblity of it blowing up on the field, we are going to not allow them...

Ill give you more info after we conduct some tests.