Simulation Modes
Jasper offers two simulation modes to match different stages of process design.
Quick Mode
The default browser-based simulation engine. Runs entirely in the client with no backend dependency.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Sequential modular, client-side |
| Thermodynamics | Ideal assumptions (Raoult's Law VLE) |
| Solver | Direct sequential solve |
| Latency | Instant (~ms) |
| Offline | Yes |
Quick mode is ideal for:
- Rapid prototyping and screening studies
- Teaching and demonstrations
- Systems that behave nearly ideally (light hydrocarbons, simple aqueous mixtures)
Rigorous Mode
Industrial-grade simulation powered by the IDAES framework and the IPOPT nonlinear solver. Calculations run on a FastAPI backend hosted on Railway.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Equation-oriented, server-side (IDAES + Pyomo) |
| Thermodynamics | Cubic EOS (SRK, PR), activity models (NRTL, UNIQUAC), electrolytes (eNRTL) |
| Solver | IPOPT (Interior Point Optimizer) |
| Latency | 2-30 s depending on complexity |
| Offline | No — requires backend connection |
Rigorous mode is ideal for:
- Non-ideal systems (azeotropes, strongly associating mixtures)
- Accurate energy balances and equipment sizing
- Final design verification against industrial standards
Start with Quick mode to build and validate your flowsheet topology. Switch to Rigorous mode when you need accurate thermodynamics or your system involves non-ideal behavior.
Switching Between Modes
Use the engine toggle in the toolbar:
┌──────────────────────────────────┐
│ ⚡ Quick │ 🔬 Rigorous ▾ │
└──────────────────────────────────┘
- Open the toolbar above the flowsheet canvas.
- Click the engine toggle.
- Select Quick or Rigorous.
- Press Run — the selected engine handles the solve.
Switching modes does not change your flowsheet. All blocks, streams, and specifications are preserved. Only the solver backend changes.
Comparison
| Feature | Quick | Rigorous |
|---|---|---|
| Property packages | Ideal only | Ideal, SRK, PR, NRTL, UNIQUAC, eNRTL |
| Phase equilibrium | Raoult's Law | Cubic EOS / activity models |
| Component library | 50+ | 70+ (NIST, DIPPR, Perry's, RPP) |
| Recycle convergence | Wegstein iteration | Simultaneous equation solve |
| Degrees of freedom check | No | Yes (must be 0) |
| Rate limiting | None | 10 requests/min per IP |
See Rigorous Mode for a deep dive into the IDAES backend.