E&H 6TAB thermal mass flowmeter

E&H 6TAB thermal mass flowmeter

1. Product Overview

The Endress+Hauser Proline t-mass T 150 (order code root 6TAB) is a groundbreaking insertion thermal mass flowmeter engineered for direct mass measurement of liquids in large pipes and ducts. As Endress+Hauser‘s first thermal mass device for liquid measurement, the 6TAB series introduces a novel approach to liquid flow monitoring that operates independently of fluid electrical conductivity — a capability that sets it apart from conventional electromagnetic flowmeters-2.

Designed chiefly for water applications, the 6TAB series excels in monitoring both conductive and non-conductive liquids across a wide range of industrial environments. The insertion probe design enables installation in pipelines from DN 40 to DN 1000 (1½ to 40 inches) without cutting the pipe or installing heavy flanged spool pieces. This makes the 6TAB series the ideal choice for water treatment facilities, cooling circuits, process monitoring in food & beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as flow measurement of oils, solvents and other non-conductive liquids-29.

The device features a compact, robust transmitter with DC 24 V power supply and 4–20 mA HART output, complemented by pulse/frequency/switch outputs for flexible system integration. Customer-specific settings are saved on the optional display module and can be transferred from one device to another, simplifying commissioning and replacement procedures-1.

Distributor: ST-YUKE CO., LIMITED — Authorized supplier of genuine Endress+Hauser instrumentation with global shipping capabilities and comprehensive technical support.

2. Technical Specifications at a Glance

Specifications derived from Technical Information document and product data sheets.-1-2

3. The Liquid Thermal Advantage: Why the t-mass T 150 Series is Unique

Unlike gas thermal mass flowmeters (6F3B, 6I3B, 6AAB, 6BAB) which measure the cooling effect of gas passing over a heated sensor, the 6TAB series employs the calorimetric measurement principle specifically calibrated for liquid media. When a liquid flows past the heated sensing element, heat is removed in proportion to the mass flow rate. The device measures this heat loss and converts it directly into a mass flow reading.

This measurement approach offers several unique advantages for liquid applications:

Conductivity Independence — The 6TAB operates independently of a liquid’s electrical conductivity, making it suitable for both conductive water-based liquids and non-conductive liquids such as oils, solvents and glycol mixtures. Traditional electromagnetic flowmeters cannot measure non-conductive liquids — the 6TAB fills this critical gap-29.

Direct Mass Flow Output — The device provides direct mass flow readings without requiring separate density measurement or temperature compensation. This simplifies system architecture and reduces instrumentation costs.

Negligible Pressure Loss — The insertion design creates minimal obstruction to flow, preserving system pressure and reducing pumping energy consumption. Unlike inline turbine or vortex meters, the 6TAB adds virtually no pressure drop.

Maintenance-Free Operation — With no moving parts to wear, foul or require lubrication, the 6TAB delivers years of reliable service without routine maintenance. The absence of mechanical components eliminates common failure points associated with turbine, positive displacement and paddle wheel flowmeters.

Wide Turndown Capability — The thermal measurement principle provides excellent low-flow sensitivity while accommodating high flow rates, making the 6TAB suitable for applications ranging from trickle flows to full pipe velocities.

Hygienic Design Option — The hygienic sensor version supports SIP (Sterilization-In-Place) cleaning up to 130 °C (266 °F), making the 6TAB suitable for food & beverage and pharmaceutical applications where sanitary conditions are mandatory-1.

4. Three Sensor Variants — Complete Lineup of the 6TAB Series

The 6TAB series spans three distinct sensor configurations, each engineered for specific application requirements. All variants share the same transmitter electronics and communication capabilities — only the sensor design and insertion depth differ.

4.1 Model 6TABL5 — Standard Sensor (110 mm Insertion Depth)

The 6TABL5 variant is the standard insertion sensor configuration suitable for pipe diameters from DN 40 to DN 1000 (1½ to 40 inches). The fixed insertion depth design (8 mm ±2 mm protrusion beyond the pipe inner wall) ensures consistent measurement positioning without complex depth adjustment-. This variant is the most commonly specified configuration for general-purpose liquid monitoring.

Example order codes:

6TABL5-AADAAAAHAAAAG — Standard sensor, DC 24 V, 4–20 mA HART, without display, standard calibration (decoded in detail below)

6TABL5-AADBCAASAAAAG+AK — DN 40–1000, with display, HART, standard calibration, Chinese language display

6TABL5-AADACADSAAAAG — DN 40–1000, with display, standard calibration

Typical applications: Water treatment, cooling water monitoring, industrial process water, HVAC systems.

4.2 Model 6TABL6 — Extended Sensor

The 6TABL6 configuration features an extended sensor design for applications requiring deeper insertion into the pipe cross-section. This variant is specified when flow profile conditions demand the sensing element to be positioned further from the pipe wall, typically in larger diameter pipes or non-ideal flow conditions.

Example order code:

6TABL6-AADBCAASAAAAG — Extended sensor, with display, HART output

Typical applications: Large-diameter water mains, wastewater treatment plants, industrial cooling towers.

4.3 Model 6TABLH — Hygienic Sensor

The 6TABLH variant features the hygienic sensor version designed for sanitary applications in food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries. This configuration incorporates Tri-Clamp or DIN 11851 process connections and supports SIP cleaning up to 130 °C (266 °F). The hygienic design eliminates crevices where bacteria could accumulate and facilitates thorough cleaning between production batches-1.

Example order codes:

6TABLH-AADACADSAABSL — Hygienic sensor, with display, Tri-Clamp connection

6TABLH-AADBCADSAHAAA — Hygienic sensor, with display, HART output, SIP capable

Typical applications: Beverage production, pharmaceutical water systems (WFI), CIP/SIP circuits, dairy processing.

5. Order Code Breakdown: 6TABL5-AADAAAAHAAAAG

To facilitate precise device configuration, specification verification and procurement, each 6TAB-series flowmeter carries a comprehensive order code that encodes every built-in feature. The following analysis decodes the complete order code structure using the example 6TABL5-AADAAAAHAAAAG:

Root Code: 6TABL5

6TAB = Proline t-mass T 150 series product family

L5 = Sensor variant L5 (standard insertion sensor for DN 40–1000)

Feature Breakdown (Sequential positions after hyphen):

This order code breakdown follows the Endress+Hauser product configuration schema. For verification of any existing device or to build a custom configuration, the order code can be entered into the Endress+Hauser Device Viewer (www.endress.com/deviceviewer) to retrieve complete specification details-10.

Additional example order codes in the field:

6TABL5-AADBCAASAAAAG+AK — L5 standard sensor, with display, HART output, standard calibration, Chinese language

6TABL5-AADACADSAAAAG — L5 standard sensor, with display, standard calibration

6TABL6-AADBCAASAAAAG — L6 extended sensor, with display, HART output

6TABLH-AADACADSAABSL — LH hygienic sensor, with display, Tri-Clamp connection

6TABL5-AAHBCAASAABSL — L5 standard sensor, with display, HART, Alloy C22 wetted materials

6. Measuring Principle: Calorimetric Thermal Mass Flow

The 6TAB series employs the calorimetric thermal mass flow measurement principle — a method distinct from the gas thermal flow measurement used in other t-mass series. The principle is based on the cooling effect of a flowing liquid medium passing over a heated temperature sensor. Two PT100 sensors reside within the insertion probe:

Reference Sensor — Monitors the actual process liquid temperature as a baseline reference.

Heated Sensor — Maintained at a constant differential temperature above the reference sensor by controlled heating current. As liquid mass flow increases, more heat is extracted from the heated sensor, requiring greater electrical power to maintain the temperature differential. This heating power is directly proportional to the mass flow rate.

The calorimetric principle is characterized by a high operable flow range and direct mass flow measurement. Unlike electromagnetic flowmeters that require conductive fluids, the 6TAB can measure both conductive and non-conductive liquids, including deionized water, oils, solvents, glycol mixtures and other process liquids-2.

The integrated temperature compensation ensures high repeatability and linearity across the entire operating range. As the liquid temperature fluctuates, the device automatically adjusts its measurement algorithms to maintain accuracy without requiring external temperature sensors or manual compensation.

Multivariable Measurement — Each 6TAB unit simultaneously measures mass flow and liquid temperature, delivering comprehensive process data through a single device. This eliminates the need for separate temperature instrumentation for basic monitoring applications.

7. Wetted Materials and Process Connections

The 6TAB series employs corrosion-resistant materials suitable for a wide range of liquid applications, from clean water to aggressive chemicals:

Material specifications derived from product data sheets.-1

Process connection options available:

Housing and Protection:

Compact aluminum housing with corrosion-resistant coating

IP66/67 enclosure protection rating, Type 4X, suitable for outdoor installation

Operating ambient temperature: –40 °C to +60 °C (–40 °F to +140 °F)

Liquid Temperature Range:

Standard operation: –20 °C to +100 °C (–4 °F to +212 °F)

SIP cleaning: Up to 130 °C (266 °F) for hygienic sensor version

8. Key Advantages and Differentiating Features

Conductivity Independence — The 6TAB measures liquids regardless of electrical conductivity, a capability unique among many flowmeter technologies. It can measure deionized water, ultrapure water, oils, solvents and other non-conductive liquids that electromagnetic flowmeters cannot handle-29.

Direct Mass Flow Output — Provides direct mass flow readings in kg/h, l/h, gal/h, or user-defined engineering units without requiring separate density or temperature compensation. This simplifies system design and reduces overall instrumentation costs.

Negligible Pressure Loss — The insertion probe design creates minimal obstruction to flow, preserving system pressure and reducing pumping energy consumption. Compared to inline flowmeters, the 6TAB adds virtually no pressure drop.

Maintenance-Free Operation — With no moving parts to wear, foul or require recalibration under normal operating conditions, the 6TAB delivers years of reliable service without routine maintenance. This dramatically reduces total cost of ownership compared to mechanical flowmeters.

High Process Safety — Integrated temperature compensation ensures high repeatability and linearity across the entire operating range, providing consistent measurement accuracy even as process conditions fluctuate-1.

Wide Pipe Size Coverage — A single 6TAB hardware platform serves all pipeline sizes from DN 40 to DN 1000 (1½ to 40 inches), simplifying inventory management and reducing spare parts requirements for facilities with diverse pipe diameters.

Hot-Tap Installation Capability — The insertion assembly can be installed through a compression fitting or ball valve without shutting down the pipeline, enabling retrofitting of flow measurement to existing liquid distribution networks with zero production downtime.

Hygienic Design Option — The 6TABLH hygienic sensor version incorporates Tri-Clamp or DIN 11851 connections and supports SIP cleaning up to 130 °C (266 °F), making it suitable for food & beverage and pharmaceutical applications where sanitary conditions are mandatory-1.

Fast Commissioning — Guided operating menus and plain-text display (on display-equipped variants) enable fast, efficient commissioning without specialized training or configuration software.

Self-Diagnostics — The 6TAB continuously monitors its own operational status and reports diagnostic information via the HART communication channel, improving plant availability and enabling predictive maintenance-1.

Automatic Data Recovery — When the optional display module is used, device configuration is stored on the display. During replacement, the new device automatically adopts the saved settings, eliminating reconfiguration time and reducing service downtime-1.

9. Supported Liquids and Application Suitability

The 6TAB series is suitable for a wide range of liquid measurement applications:

Primary Supported Liquids:

Key Application Areas:

10. Installation and Operational Requirements

To ensure optimal measurement performance, the following installation guidelines should be observed:

Pipe Diameter Range — The 6TAB insertion series is suitable for nominal pipe diameters from DN 40 to DN 1000 (1½ to 40 inches). For pipes smaller than DN 40, consider alternative flow measurement technologies or consult ST-YUKE for application-specific guidance-1.

Insertion Depth — For the standard 6TABL5 configuration, the sensor features a fixed insertion depth of 8 mm (±2 mm) protrusion beyond the pipe inner wall. This design eliminates the need for complex depth adjustment and ensures consistent measurement positioning across all installations-.

Insertion Orientation — For horizontal pipes, the probe should be inserted from the side (horizontal insertion) to ensure the sensing element remains fully immersed in the liquid stream. Vertical insertion from the top is acceptable for clean liquids without suspended solids. Avoid bottom insertion where sediment accumulation may occur.

Flow Direction — The flow direction arrow on the sensor must align with the direction of liquid flow. Incorrect orientation will produce inaccurate readings. The 6TAB is a unidirectional flowmeter; for bidirectional measurement applications, consult ST-YUKE for alternative solutions.

Straight Run Requirements — A minimum of 5 × pipe diameter upstream straight run and 3 × diameter downstream straight run is recommended. For installations immediately downstream of pumps, elbows, valves or reducers, longer straight runs (10 × diameter) are advised to ensure a fully developed flow profile.

Hot-Tap Installation — The 6TAB series supports hot-tap installation through a ball valve or compression fitting assembly, enabling insertion and retraction without process shutdown. This capability is particularly valuable for water treatment facilities and industrial cooling systems where downtime is unacceptable.

Liquid Temperature — The 6TAB operates with liquid temperatures from –20 °C to +100 °C (–4 °F to +212 °F). For SIP cleaning applications, the hygienic sensor version (6TABLH) can withstand temperatures up to 130 °C (266 °F) for short durations-1.

Environmental Conditions — The compact aluminum housing (IP66/67, Type 4X) is suitable for outdoor installation. The operating ambient temperature range is –40 °C to +60 °C (–40 °F to +140 °F).

Electrical Connections — Standard M20 × 1.5 cable gland entries accommodate signal and power cabling. HART communication requires a minimum load resistance of 250 Ω between device and power supply.

Power Supply — The 6TAB series operates on DC 24 V power supply (4-wire technology)-1.

11. Communication and I/O Configuration

The 6TAB transmitter supports HART communication with the following I/O options:

Standard Output Configuration:

4–20 mA HART analog output (configurable for mass flow or temperature)

Pulse/frequency output (for totalization)

Switch output (for diagnostic or limit alarms)

HART Communication Capabilities:

Digital access to all process variables (mass flow, liquid temperature)

Remote device configuration and parameter adjustment

Diagnostic data retrieval and device status monitoring

Multi-drop mode for multiple instruments on a single 4–20 mA loop

Display Module (Optional):

4-line backlit graphic display

Touch control operation

Data backup and transfer functionality

Local readout of all process variables

The 6TAB series does not support Modbus RS485, PROFIBUS, or EtherNet/IP. For applications requiring these digital fieldbus protocols, ST-YUKE recommends other t-mass series (6F3B/6F5B) or alternative Endress+Hauser flow measurement technologies.

12. Why Source the 6TAB Series from ST-YUKE CO., LIMITED

ST-YUKE CO., LIMITED is a recognized distributor of Endress+Hauser instrumentation, providing the full Proline t-mass T 150 insertion series (6TABL5, 6TABL6, 6TABLH) with:

Genuine product certification — Every unit sourced directly from Endress+Hauser manufacturing facilities

Global shipping — Express delivery to major industrial centers worldwide

Technical pre-sales support — Order code configuration assistance and application engineering

Competitive pricing — Volume discounts available for OEMs and system integrators

Post-sales documentation — Complete technical information packages (TI, BA, KA, GP) provided with each shipment

For applications requiring gas flow measurement:

Inline small pipe (DN 15–50) economical gas → Proline t-mass A 150 (6AAB) series

Inline large pipe (DN 15–100) premium gas → Proline t-mass F 300 (6F3B) or F 500 (6F5B) series

Insertion large pipe (DN 80–1500) economical gas → Proline t-mass B 150 (6BAB) series

Insertion large pipe (DN 80–1500) premium gas → Proline t-mass I 300 (6I3B) or I 500 (6I5B) series

For inquiries, quotations, or technical consultation regarding any 6TAB-series model, contact ST-YUKE CO., LIMITED directly.

13. Downloads and Supporting Documentation

The following official Endress+Hauser documents provide complete technical information for the 6TAB series (available via www.endress.com or through ST-YUKE CO., LIMITED):

These documents contain the full technical data necessary for engineering, procurement, installation and maintenance of the 6TAB series insertion thermal liquid flowmeters.

14. Model Comparison: 6TAB Series vs. Other Liquid Flow Technologies