SimTurbo gives engineers and educators a graphical environment to design, analyze, and improve gas turbine systems used in power-generation applications. Build component-level models, evaluate steady-state and transient behavior, test control strategies, and compare cycle options with real-time visual feedback. Export results for further work in Excel, MATLAB/Simulink, or Python while maintaining visibility into the physics behind each system decision.
Specialized gas turbine modeling tools for performance analysis, controls, advanced cycles, and engineering development.
Configure complete gas turbine architectures with graphical components for compressors, combustors, turbines, shafts, nozzles, and related systems. Evaluate conceptual layouts, component matching, operating points, and performance tradeoffs before committing to physical development.
Analyze Brayton-cycle performance, efficiency, fuel consumption, pressure ratios, emissions considerations, ambient conditions, and off-design behavior. Use performance maps and component matching to benchmark alternatives and optimize gas turbine power-generation systems.
Model recuperated, regenerated, reheated, intercooled, and afterburning configurations. Assess waste-heat recovery, thermal-performance improvements, fuel-efficiency opportunities, and alternative cycle concepts for advanced gas turbine applications.
Develop and validate PID control, fuel scheduling, startup and shutdown logic, protection functions, sensor models, actuator behavior, gain scheduling, and fault-response strategies in a closed-loop simulation environment.
Simulate startup, shutdown, load changes, acceleration, deceleration, emergency events, and changing environmental conditions. Examine dynamic response, stability, control performance, and system behavior before field or hardware testing.
Access specialized support for gas turbine design, thermodynamic analysis, simulation-model development, feasibility studies, troubleshooting, control validation, performance diagnostics, and custom engineering projects across power and propulsion applications.
SimTurbo helps power-system engineers move from concept to informed decisions with component-based gas turbine models that remain transparent rather than black boxes. Build architectures visually, run steady-state and transient studies on standard PCs, and test controls alongside thermodynamic performance. Interactive diagrams and graphs make it easier to communicate assumptions, identify constraints, and refine designs. Data exports support downstream analysis in established engineering workflows.
A specialized platform built to make complex gas turbine behavior more accessible and actionable.
Component-based architecture keeps assumptions, connections, and system behavior visible throughout each engineering study.
Run interactive steady-state and transient simulations on standard PCs with responsive graphs and diagrams.
J85-GE-21 validation results report accuracy within plus or minus two percent against test data.
Built-in PID controllers and limiters support practical control-law testing alongside thermodynamic modeling.
Experienced engineering leadership for demanding simulation and design work.
President, CEO & Founder
Paul J. Hoffman is the President, CEO, and Founder of Controls Research LLC, the company behind SimTurbo. With a BS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford, and an MBA from the University of Toledo, Paul brings a rare combination of technical depth and business acumen to the company. He has more than 45 years of experience spanning aerospace, automotive, and power systems engineering, giving him a comprehensive understanding of complex gas turbine engine design and simulation challenges. As founder, Paul has guided SimTurbo's development into a specialized, engineer-friendly platform used by aerospace, marine, and power-generation professionals as well as universities. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to advancing engineering education and real-world simulation accuracy, ensuring clients and students alike benefit from decades of hands-on industry expertise.
Vice President of Marketing & Sales
Chris Hoffman serves as Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Controls Research LLC, bringing more than 15 years of experience in the sales and marketing of technical products. Chris plays a key role in communicating the value of SimTurbo's advanced gas turbine simulation platform to aerospace, marine, power systems, and academic audiences across the United States. With a strong understanding of technical sales cycles and engineering-focused markets, Chris works closely with clients and educational institutions to ensure they find the right solutions for their design, analysis, and simulation needs. Chris is dedicated to building lasting relationships with customers, helping engineers and students alike understand how SimTurbo can improve productivity, precision, and outcomes in their gas turbine engineering projects.
Power plant-oriented gas turbine software can simulate the thermodynamic cycle and major components, including inlets, compressors, combustors, turbines, shafts, recuperators, and nozzles. SimTurbo supports performance calculations such as efficiency, fuel use, pressure ratios, power prediction, and operating points. It also supports off-design and ambient-condition studies, allowing engineers to compare configurations before physical testing or deployment.
Talk with our team about simulation capabilities and licensing options.
Reported comparison against engine test data
Interactive simulation on standard PCs
Support for classroom and laboratory use
Tell us about your design, analysis, control, or educational objectives, and the SimTurbo team will help identify a suitable path.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 779-390-4786. You can also send us a quick email at pjhoffman@simturbo.net.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 779-390-4786. You can also send us a quick email at pjhoffman@simturbo.net.