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This paper investigates the alternative of precombustioncaptureof carbon dioxide from integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC)plants using membrane reactors equipped with H2-selectivezeolite membranes for the water gas shift reaction. Specifically,a one-dimensional and isothermal membrane reactor model is developed.This model is used for simulation and optimization studies consideringcocurrent and countercurrent modes of reactor operation. The simulationresults indicate successful countercurrent cases that satisfy allof the specified targets and constraints. With use of this developedmodel, a novel optimization problem is formulated and solved to guidethe selection of the optimal reactor design among typical scenariosof operation. The optimization results suggest as optimal solutiona reactor design with a preshift followed by a membrane reactor. Theobtained optimal design enables a more efficient membrane use by placingit in the optimal location. This design also results in savings ofas high as 25% (in the range of 10–25%) in terms of membranematerial when compared to the original membrane reactor design. Forthe price range of zeolite membranes considered on the order of $1000–10 000/m2and for large-scale applications, in which the membrane surfaceareas are on the order of 2000 m2, 25% of savings impliescost reductions on the order of millions of dollars (as high as $5 000 000in this case). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]