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Brand: Elster
Elster Q.Sonic-max6 Six-Path Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meter
Description
Six-path ultrasonic gas meter for custody transfer in harsh conditions
The Elster Q.Sonic-max6 is a six-path ultrasonic gas flow meter from Honeywell Elster for custody-transfer measurement. Honeywell describes it as an extension of the Q.Sonic portfolio, optimized for a wider range of applications, specifically for operating pressure, operating conditions and special gas mixtures. Three pairs of direct cross paths in one plane give a robust acoustic image of the gas stream, and all-metal transducers encapsulated in titanium keep the surface smooth to reduce contamination.
The signal processing unit sits in a flame-proof housing with a separate terminal compartment and a graphical 4.3 in touch display. An internal pressure and temperature measurement can correct the meter body diameter and path geometry and improve the Reynolds number used in flow profile analysis, which matters when process conditions vary widely. Commissioning, configuration and diagnostics run through the enSuite software, and the SPU supports Modbus, MMS and a built-in web server with TLS encryption from firmware 3.40A.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Elster (Honeywell) |
| Measurement principle | Ultrasonic transit time, six direct paths in three crossed pairs |
| Sizes | 3 in to 24 in (DN80 to DN600); larger sizes up to 56 in on request |
| Pressure ratings | ANSI 150 to 900 (1500 or PN on request) |
| Minimum operating pressure for standard natural gas | 3 in 58 barg; 4 in, 6 in and 8 in 29 barg; 10 in and 12 in 44 barg; 16 in 58 barg; 20 in 73 barg; 24 in 87 barg |
| Process temperature | Standard -40 to +60 C; MID -40 to +55 C; extended -40 to +80 C (ambient limited to +55 C) |
| Ambient temperature | Standard -40 to +60 C; MID and extended -40 to +55 C |
| Repeatability | 0.05% or better (Qt to Qmax) |
| Typical uncertainty | 0.1% after high-pressure flow calibration and linearization; 0.5% after zero-flow calibration and linearization |
| Body material | Forged low-temperature carbon steel ASTM A350-LF2 Cl.1 as standard; LF6, F316/F316L and A694 up to F70 on request |
| Body construction | Reduced bore with 7 degree taper up to 16 in; full bore from 18 in |
| Material certificate | EN 10204 3.1 standard; 3.2, PMI and NACE on request |
| Electronics enclosure | Cast aluminium SPU housing with 5 threaded entries; stainless steel optional; IP66 / NEMA Type 4X |
| Power supply | Nominal 24 V DC (18 to 30 V DC), 10 to 20 W depending on cards |
| Display | 4.3 in colour graphical display with 7 capacitive soft keys |
| Interfaces (option) | 2 serial RS232/485, Ethernet and SHDSL, 2 digital outputs, 2 analogue outputs 4-20 mA NAMUR, 2 high and 2 low frequency outputs, USB for service |
| Protocols | Modbus (ASCII, RTU, TCP/IP), MMS, UNIFORM, built-in web server, TLS with firmware 3.40A |
| Metrological approvals | MID T10586 (optional), OIML R137 2012 A-NL1-20.072 class 1.0, ISO 17089 CoC-3684021-02 class 1.0, AGA 9 (2022) compliant |
| Hazardous area | ATEX and IECEx Ex db ia [ia Ga] IIB+H2 T6 Gb; FM Class I Division 1 Group A to D T6 |
| Meter weight (ANSI 150) | 55 lbs (3 in) to 2271 lbs (24 in) |
Flow ranges and installation
The datasheet lists flow ranges in actual cubic feet per hour for each internal diameter, with turndown of 36 to 123 depending on the standard applied. For a 6 in meter with a 5.75 in bore, for instance, the table gives a Qmin of 636, a Qt of 7663 and a Qmax of 76633 cfh. Flow ranges under ISO 17089 class 1 and AGA 9 are shown separately, so the usable turndown depends on the standard your contract names. Typical installation lengths are 6D upstream and 3D downstream under mild disturbances, or 3D, a NOVA50E flow conditioner and 5D under severe disturbances, shown for MID, ISO and OIML installations.
Selecting a Q.Sonic-max6
The meter suits fiscal gas measurement on transmission and distribution lines, gas exploration, and non-custody duties where wide turndown and low maintenance matter. Because the minimum operating pressure rises with size, check it against the line pressure of the application: the 24 in size needs 87 barg for the standard natural gas composition defined in the datasheet. Gas composition outside the listed component ranges needs to be evaluated by the manufacturer.
Documents and quotation
State the gas composition, line size and bore, operating pressure and temperature range, flange class, body material and certificate, the metrological approval (MID, OIML, ISO, AGA 9), the flow calibration required, the hazardous-area approval and the interface and output cards. The datasheet is edition 03/26.
The attached Honeywell datasheet holds the flow-range tables, accuracy requirements, flange-class dimensions and technical specification of the Q.Sonic-max6. Seven Star LLC, an independent supplier in Muscat, quotes the meter once those points are known. Related meters are listed under Flowmeters, and an earlier ultrasonic meter is the Elster Q.Sonic plus ultrasonic gas flow meter.
Datasheets & Documents
- Datasheet Elster Q.Sonic-max6 datasheet (EN, imperial, Honeywell, 03/2026) Download
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About brand
Elster is a gas metering and combustion control brand founded on 1 October 1848 in Berlin, where it began by making gas lamps. It built a factory in Mainz in 1876 and later merged with the Dutch flow specialist Instromet in 2005. Melrose bought the Elster group in 2012, and Honeywell acquired it in 2015–2016, so Elster products are now sold by Honeywell.
Seven Star LLC sources and supplies Elster ultrasonic flow meters, gas flow computers and station communication units for pipeline and utility operators in Oman.
Elster company profile
| Founded | 1 October 1848, Berlin, Germany |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mainz-Kastel, Germany (historic group base) |
| Ownership | Honeywell, since the end of 2015 / January 2016 |
| Related brands | Instromet, Kromschröder and American Meter, all part of the former Elster group |
| Product families | Turbine, rotary and ultrasonic gas meters, volume correctors and flow computers, gas pressure regulators and safety shut-off valves, Kromschröder burner controls and valves |
Milestones
- 1848: Elster is founded in Berlin and starts producing gas lamps.
- 1876: The factory in Mainz is built.
- 2005: Elster and Instromet merge.
- 2012: Melrose acquires the Elster group.
- 2016: Honeywell completes its purchase of Elster from Melrose.
Elster product families listed here
The Elster flow meter on this page is the Q.Sonic plus, a multipath ultrasonic gas meter for custody transfer measurement, listed together with a USM display unit. Flow computers come from two device series. The enCore series is represented by the enCore FC1 and the enCore ZM1. The gas-net series is represented by the gas-net F1 flow computer and the gas-net D2, a data forwarding unit for the DSfG station interface used in German-standard gas metering systems.
Where Elster gas metering equipment is used
Elster gas meters and flow computers work at transmission and distribution metering stations, city gate and pressure reduction stations, power plant and industrial fuel gas inlets, and gas storage sites. The flow computer converts measured volume to base conditions using pressure, temperature and gas quality data, records the fiscal archives and passes data to the SCADA system.
Elster products we list
Ordering Elster meters and flow computers: what we need
For an ultrasonic meter: nominal size, pressure rating and flange standard, flow range, gas composition, operating pressure and temperature, the metrological approval required and the flow calibration expected. For a flow computer: device type, the serial number and software version of the existing unit, the I/O boards fitted, the meters and transmitters connected, the conversion and compressibility method (for example AGA 8) and the communication protocols. A photo of the type plate and the parameter printout shorten the check against the manufacturer's documentation considerably.
Facts checked against Elster's own milestone timeline and the Honeywell acquisition announcements, October 2026.
Browse Elster products by category: Flow Computers, Flowmeters, Industrial Communications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many paths does the Q.Sonic-max6 have?
Six direct paths arranged as three crossed pairs in the same plane.
Which sizes and pressure classes are offered?
3 in to 24 in (DN80 to DN600) in ANSI 150 to 900, with larger sizes up to 56 in on request.
Which accuracy standards are listed?
MID, OIML R137 class 1.0, ISO 17089 class 1.0 and AGA 9 (2022); typical uncertainty 0.1% after high-pressure calibration and linearization.
What hazardous-area approvals are printed?
ATEX and IECEx Ex db ia [ia Ga] IIB+H2 T6 Gb, and FM Class I Division 1 Group A to D T6.
How is it configured?
Through the enSuite software, locally or remotely, and the built-in touch display and web server.
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