Advanced Jet Engine Performance Simulator

About the Project

View Code on GitHub

A high-fidelity Python simulation framework for turbojet engines implementing comprehensive thermodynamic modeling with real-time parameter optimization and interactive visualization. Validated against NASA CEA and GasTurb with production-quality code architecture.

Highlights

• Brayton cycle with real gas effects, variable specific heats, and component efficiency modeling
• Dual-mode operation: standard turbojet and afterburning configurations
• Interactive PyQt6 GUI with real-time parameter adjustment and performance visualization
• Thrust range 78.5–125.3 kN with thermal efficiency up to 42.1%
• Model validated against NASA CEA, GasTurb, and manufacturer data
• >95% test coverage with comprehensive type safety (mypy)

How it works

Users input engine parameters (throttle setting, environmental conditions, component efficiencies) and the simulator computes performance using thermodynamic equations: combustor temperature, compression ratios, thrust, fuel consumption. Multi-objective optimization balances thrust vs. fuel efficiency under constraints. Visualizations include performance envelopes and component-level analysis.

What I learned

• Thermodynamic modeling with NASA polynomial approximations for real gas properties
• Numerical optimization under constraints with real-time feedback
• Clean architecture: modular design with separation of simulation engine, GUI, visualization, and CLI
• Type safety and static analysis with Python (mypy, comprehensive annotations)
• Model validation methodology—compare against multiple reference sources

Next steps

• Turboprop and turbofan variants to model modern civil aircraft
• Transient simulation for engine start-up and shutdown sequences
• Web-based interface for accessibility without local installation

Tech

Python • PyQt6 • NumPy • SciPy • Matplotlib • Thermodynamic Modeling