Bituminous Waste Research Articles

Radiolysis of bituminized radioactive waste: a comprehensive review

In the realm of radioactive waste management, the impact of radiolysis on bitumen and bituminized radioactive waste also called bituminized waste product (BWP) is considered one of the most significant factors influencing structural changes and the generation of radiolysis gas bubbles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of several studies that have explored the intricate interaction between radiation and various types of bitumen, to gain a better understanding of how such waste ages when exposed to radiation. While these studies provide insights into the diverse effects of radiolysis on bitumen, they also highlight numerous unanswered questions. The absence of gas bubbles does not necessarily indicate an absence of gas production, leaving further research to be undertaken. The complexities of bitumen radiolysis offer multiple avenues for future investigation, aiming to enhance our understanding and provide comprehensive solutions for bituminous radioactive waste management. Among the studied types of bitumen, blown R85/40 bitumen and straight-run distilled bitumen with a penetration grade of 70/100 stands out due to their widespread use in immobilizing co-precipitated radioactive sludges. These bituminous matrices play an essential role in understanding the broader implications of radiolysis within the context of bituminous waste management. This review underscores the significance of further research into radiolysis and bitumen ageing, emphasizing the need for a more in-depth exploration of these complex phenomena and their implications for the long-term safety and efficacy of repositories and disposal facilities.

FE modeling of the reconstructed Bituminated radioactive waste storage of Ignalina NPP

Decommissioning of nuclear facilities is a complex of various activities strongly related to safety. In 2004 and 2005, both reactors of Ignalina NPP were closed. One of the tasks that must be solved is what to do with the radioactive waste storage facility (Ignalina AE Building 158). Possible solutions: – complete destruction of the radioactive waste storage with the need to empty the canyons and store the waste in a special place or, as an alternative, turning the storage into a repository. Converting storage to repository also has many different options. The installation of protective barriers of different thicknesses or even the construction of a sarcophagus is possible. The cheapest way to form a protective barrier on an existing building structure. The problem is the relatively high weight of the barrier structure, which must be supported by the existing building structure.The article presents an analysis of the durability of the structures of the radioactive waste storage, assessing the influence of the self-weight of the building's reinforced concrete structural elements and the mass of the bituminous radioactive waste stored in the canyons, as well as the effect of additional loads acting on the floor and roof of the first floor during the planned conversion of the storage facility into the repository. Numerical simulation was performed using ANSYS computer code and the results were compared with the relevant standards and norms in order to assess the building's ability to undergo such transformations.Spatial volumetric geometric and calculation models of the construction structures of the 158 building were created. These models have been modified after considering future changes during the transformation of the building into a repository. Perform calculations of the state of stresses and strains of the landfill under the load of the self-weight of the structural elements and the hydrostatic pressure of the bituminous waste. On the basis of the results of the calculations, conclusions were formulated about the level of load on the construction structures of the building and the margin under the current operating loads.The developed numerical models can be easily extended to evaluate the effects of new building elements and additional loads on structures (specifically walls and ceilings) after the transformation of a waste storage into a repository.The article presents not only the idea of reorganizing the waste storage structure to repository but also the methodology of modelling such a structure by assessing the age of the building's soil and additional loads. This methodology can be useful and applied to the closure of other nuclear power plants when it is necessary to turn the radioactive waste storage into a repository.

Study on the Performance of Bitumen Waste Stone Column in Soil Stabilization

Stone Column is a technique for improving and stabilising weak soils such as soft clays, silts, and loose sands, allowing highway facilities, storage tanks, embankments, and bridge abutments to be built. We are utilising bituminous waste as an alternative material for coarse aggregate in the construction of stone columns to save expenditure by partially replacing coarse aggregate with bituminous waste. We're mixing bitumen waste and coarse aggregate, which have been passed through a 16 mm IS sieve and are being retained . Different mix proportions of coarse aggregate and bitumen waste for stone column samples represented as (X% aggregate + Y% bitumen waste) were tested such as (100%C), (70%C+30%B), (60%C+40%B), (50%C+50%B) and (100%B). Intermediate Plastic Clayey soil (CI) at OMC was used as the test sample in which stone column was installed. The CBR test was performed on the stone column with a diameter of 50 mm and depth of 100 mm installed in the compacted soil in CBR mould to determine CBR value and bearing capacity of samples. After that the results were compared with 100% coarse aggregate stone column sample (100%C).

Impact of salinity and alkalinity on the microstructure of partially saturated Opalinus Clay from the lower sandy facies (LSF) of Mont Terri site

In the context of deep waste disposals, the geological barrier (i.e., the host rock) will be exposed to saline plumes from bituminous waste and alkaline plumes from concrete degradation. These chemical disturbances will affect the hydraulic and mechanical properties of the clay rock by modifying its microstructure. As a result, the self-sealing of the fractures created during excavation could be affected,further affecting the long-term safety of the repositories. To this end, the effect of salinity and alkalinity on the microstructure of a partially saturated Opalinus Clay from the lower sandy facies of Mont Terri was investigated. It was found that at 𝑤 = 4.1%, salinity decreases the density and the peak of the mesopores compared to the synthetic water. This is due to the water transfer from the meso to the macro pores and to the decrease of the thickness of the diffuse double layer. For the same water content, alkalinity generates meso and macro pores. The dissolutions of clay and non-clay minerals are the main mechanisms involved.

BIOPOSITIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR HANDLING BITUMEN-CONTAINING CONSTRUCTION WASTE

The article discusses various biopositive technologies for handling bituminous waste based on roofing materials after the loss of their operational properties. The processes occurring during the thermal destruction of such materials in synchronous thermal analysis with the study of degradation products are considered. The effectiveness of the use of plasma technologies in the treatment of bitumen - containing waste has been studied and it has been established that the ratio of the mass of waste material to solid residue ash reaches 400:1, thus the degree of processing is more than 99,7 %. The authors proposed an alternative technology that allows the use of bitumen contained in the waste of waterproofing materials as an organic raw material for further use in the construction industry. Considered is the chemical recovery of bitumen using various organic solvents, such as technical kerosene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and trichlorethylene. According to the calculated indices of correspondence of the chemical composition, it was established that carbon tetrachloride is the most effective solvent. The chemical composition of the bitumen extracted with this solvent is closest to the control sample taken without the participation of solvents.

Water uptake-induced pressure development by French bituminized radioactive waste products under nearly constant volume conditions

Water uptake and salt leaching of two simulated French Bituminized Waste Products (BWP) have been investigated under nearly constant volume conditions. The resulting pressure development was monitored during 5 to 6 years for two simulated BWP samples, varying one from the other by their inorganic load and composition. Pressure development induced by water uptake is mainly the result of two processes: (1) an osmotic phenomenon due to the presence of soluble and hygroscopic salts (NaNO3 and Na2SO4) embedded in the bitumen matrix and (2) recrystallization of anhydrous Na2SO4 into its decahydrate form, leading to an important volumetric expansion. After a certain hydration period, the pressure exerted by the hydrating BWP stabilizes when the pressure generating phenomena are fully counteracted by the leaching of soluble salts via out-diffusion, reconsolidation of pores in highly leached parts of the BWP, and/or some creep of the BWP into the technical voids of the water uptake cells. For one of the French BWP, this already occurred after 1 year of hydration. Differences are found in the pressure evolution and increase rate of the two studied BWP, though a much larger difference is observed when comparing the results of the French BWP to a Belgian BWP, i.e. Eurobitum. The faster pressure development observed for the French BWPs can be attributed to the differences in the soluble salt content, the inorganic load, the content of recrystallizing salts, but also to the presence of insoluble salts such as BaSO4, which seems to facilitate the water uptake rate in the French BWP. The faster hydration in French BWP results in a larger fraction of salts becoming available for osmosis and recrystallization within a relatively short time frame, thereby explaining the faster pressure build-up. On the other hand, BaSO4 does not seem to affect the leaching of soluble salts from BWP directly.

On the Effect of the Distances between Coal and Wood Particles during Their Joint Pyrolysis on Sulfur Oxides Formation

The simultaneous pyrolysis of coal with wood was experimentally found to allow reducing concentrations of sulfur-containing substances in gases released. The objective of experimental studies is comparison of the sulphate of calcium and aluminum in the ash of coal-wood mixtures after pyrolysis of the latter in a dense “packing” of aggregate particles of these two fuels and at a few millimeters distance between particles. The 3B-grade lignite, T-grade bituminous coal and pinewood sawmill waste were chosen as feedstocks for pyrolysis experiments because they are widespread in Russia as well as many other countries. The elemental composition of all raw materials and pyrolysis residues was determined. The inorganic composition of obtained pyrolysis product in the solid phase was characterized by X-ray analysis. The content of aluminum and calcium sulfate in residue in case of simultaneous processing of coal with wood was found to be higher, compared to the processing of coal only (within the random errors of the experiment), than those established for such mixtures under conditions of dense “packing” of large masses (up to 15 g).

Usage of Waste Plastics in Road Pavements

Storage of various products obtained from wastes or leaving these to the nature lead to many difficulties and huge problems such as environmental pollution. Today, some studies are carried out on the recycling of wastes and by-products gained during the manufactory of various products. Wastes can be used to obtain new products or as an additional substance on the existing products. Both recycle of wastes and by-products prevents damage to the environment and reduces the occurrence of related problems to a minimum level by mitigating the usage of very scarcely found natural substances. Thus, it is important that industrial wastes be gained to state economy through being recycled for various uses. In recent years, studies on removal of wastes by recycling on highway layers have been extended. The aim of this study is to introduce the technical advantages of plastic materials known only as a simple waste material and to convert the environmental, economic and technical disadvantages of these materials as waste as an asphalt coating material. In the study, the samples were prepared by mixing bitumen with bituminous waste plastic heat treatment method and prepared samples were subjected to Marshall Strength and Indirect Tensile Strength tests and the results were interpreted.

Characterization of Classified Indian Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP): In-Situ and Lab Density, Bitumen Content and Gradation Characteristics.

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is the term given to removed and/or reprocessed pavement materials containing asphalt and aggregates. These materials are generated when asphalt pavements are removed for reconstruction, resurfacing, or to obtain access to buried utilities. When properly crushed and screened, RAP consists of high-quality, well-graded aggregates coated by asphalt cement. Process of utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is called recycling of asphalt pavement. RAP material is generated when old, damaged pavement materials are milled and crushed for addition as a component to new mixtures placed in the pavement structure. Historically, old pavement material was removed and disposed of in landfills. As land filling these materials has become less practical and more expensive and the availability of quality virgin materials declines, the addition of RAP to pavement mixtures has become more and more prevalent. Recycling of pavement material can be done as an in-place process or a central plant process. The in-place process combines the reclamation, mixing, lay down, and compaction procedures into a single paving train in the field. In-place recycled materials are typically used for base or binder courses and are typically overlaid with a surface course. The central plant process involves stockpiling RAP at the asphalt plant, which is then mixed with virgin materials at the plant and trucked to the construction site for lay down and compaction. Use of RAP in road construction will reduce depletion of virgin aggregates resources and also overcome to disposal problem of bituminous wastes. It is required to access properties of RAP aggregate and recovered bitumen before using in actual road pavements. RAP samples collected and a series of tests are performed for characterization and performance evaluation of selected RAP samples of different groups. In this study characterization of RAP limited to in-situ and lab density along with bitumen content and gradation of RAP classified in different groups. Results of this study will be beneficial in job mix formula (JMF) design with varying percentage of RAP to be use in bituminous layer in flexible pavements. This study is a step towards sustainable developments with green road construction i.e. construction of flexible pavement with environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.

Water-soluble bitumen degradation products can fuel nitrate reduction from non-radioactive bituminized waste

An important fraction of the currently stored volume of long-lived intermediate level radioactive waste in Belgium is immobilized as Eurobitum. This type of waste typically contains large amounts of NaNO3 homogeneously dispersed in a hard bituminous matrix. Geological disposal of Eurobitum in a water-saturated sedimentary formation such as Boom Clay will result in the leaching of high concentrations of NaNO3 in the Boom Clay formation. This could cause a geochemical perturbation of the surrounding clay, possibly affecting some of the favorable characteristics of the host formation such as its hydraulic conductivity, sorption potential or the redox conditions. The latter might result in a decrease of its reducing capacity and an increase in the mobility of redox-sensitive radionuclides. Microbial nitrate reduction is a well-known process, which could be stimulated by the chemical and radiolytical water-soluble organic bitumen degradation products. The present study carried out different series of long-term anoxic batch experiments to investigate the ability of the microbial community of Boom Clay borehole water to reduce nitrate, leaching from thermally aged non-radioactive Eurobitum in the presence or absence of acetate, formate and oxalate, being part of the most important organic bitumen degradation products. Obtained results indicate that all three organic bitumen degradation products can be used as electron donor to fuel microbial nitrate reduction, albeit with a different efficiency. The highest nitrate reduction rate was observed in the presence of acetate, while oxalate was the least efficient electron donor for nitrate reduction. Moreover, organic compounds that leached from the Eurobitum during the course of the experiment were used as electron donor for microbial nitrate reduction in all conditions. Furthermore, calcium oxalate crystals were observed, indicating that if oxalate is present, it will probably be less bioavailable compared to other organic compounds.

Swelling pressure and leaching behaviors of synthetic bituminized waste products with various salt contents under a constant-volume condition

ABSTRACTWe investigated the swelling pressure of synthetic bituminized waste products (BWPs) and the amount of Na+ in the leachate from them under a constant-volume condition when the BWPs were in contact with water to understand influences of salt content on the surrounding environments after disposal of radioactive BWPs in a geological repository. The observation of the cross section of the synthetic BWP specimens revealed that micropores, which were formed after soluble salts leached out from the specimens, shrank and deformed near the surface of the specimens. The salt content in the synthetic BWP specimens depended on the amount of water taken up, indicating that an increase in the amount of water led to increases in the swelling pressure and the cumulative amount of Na+ in the leachate. It was found that the shrinkage and deformation of the micropores near the surface of the synthetic BWP specimens that arose under the constant-volume condition significantly influenced increases in the swelling pressure and cumulative amount of Na+ in the leachate.

Texture and surface chemistry of activated carbons obtained from tyre wastes

Tyre wastes and their blends with coal and a bituminous waste material obtained from the benzol distillation column of the by-product section of a coking plant were employed as a precursor for the production of activated carbons (ACs). Pyrolysis up to 850°C followed by physical activation with CO2 yielded mesoporous carbons with different pore size distributions and surface areas depending on the degree of burn-off. ACs with surface areas of 475 and 390m2/g were obtained for the two tyre wastes. The inclusion of coal in the blend gave rise to surface areas of up to 1120m2/g due to an increase in the microporosity. The time needed to obtain the desired degree of burn-off depended on the reactivity of the char. The coal-containing materials required the longest amount of time. The surface chemistry of the samples was studied by Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The principal oxygenated groups found were quinones, lactones and carboxylic acids.

Properties and performance of mesoporous activated carbons from scrap tyres, bituminous wastes and coal

Tyre wastes and their blends with coal and a bituminous waste material obtained from the benzol distillation column of a by-product section of a coking plant were employed as a precursor for the production of activated carbons (ACs). Pyrolysis up to 850°C followed by physical activation with CO2 produced mesoporous carbons with different pore size distributions and surface areas. The surface chemistry of the samples was studied by measuring the point of zero charge (pHpzc) and by temperature programmed desorption (TPD). The activated carbons obtained contained higher amounts of basic functional groups. Their textural and surface chemistry characteristics make them highly suitable for adsorbing anionic dyes of large molecular size, such as Congo red. The adsorption kinetics was found to conform closely to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. To determine the adsorption mechanism, the kinetic data were also analyzed using the Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion model and the Boyd model to distinguish between the pore and film diffusion steps. The equilibrium isotherms were of the Langmuir isotherm type. The efficiency of the low-cost ACs prepared for the removal of Congo red dye was similar to that reported in the literature for coal-based ACs and greater than that of other low-cost ACs.

Preparation of MgO-templated carbons from waste polymeric fibres

Mesoporous carbons with a high surface area were produced using reinforcing fibres from scrap tyres, polyester Dacron®, polyamide Nylon6 and a bituminous waste as carbon precursor by two different procedures: physical activation and MgO-template synthesis. Moreover, MgO-template synthesis was carried out by means of two different mixing methods: powder- and solution-mixing procedures. The maximum surface area, highest pore volume and mesopore ratio were obtained for MgO-templated carbons. Nanocarbons with narrow pore size distributions showing maxima at 4.5–5nm in the case of powder-mixed MgO templated carbons and at 7nm for solution-mixed MgO templated carbons were obtained. The mesopore size of the carbon-coated materials was in agreement with their crystallite size as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface chemistry of the materials was also studied by thermal programmed desorption (TPD), infrared spectroscopy and by determining the pHPZC. The MgO-templated carbons had acid surface groups, whereas activated carbons had basic surface groups. The adsorption of a reactive dye by two nanocarbons prepared by two different mixing procedures was tested.

Fuel-oils from co-pyrolysis of scrap tyres with coal and a bituminous waste. Influence of oven configuration

Two wastes from the tyre recycling industry – the fibers used as reinforcing material and tyre crumbs – were pyrolyzed in two ovens of different configuration. Blends with a low rank coal and a bituminous waste were also prepared to modify the composition of the oils obtained from the pyrolysis of the tyre wastes. Elemental analysis, calorific value, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography were used to determine the oil composition. A comparative study taking into account the configurations of the ovens and the raw materials was carried out. The oils produced in the rotary oven were found to be more aromatic and to have lower oxygen contents. Depending on the type of oven and the material used in the co-pyrolysis process it is possible to obtain a fuel-oil with a specific heating value and sulfur content. It is also possible to obtain oil with more than 20% limonene and 20% BTX (benzene, toluene, xylene). The amount of aliphatics can be increased by including a coal in the pyrolysis process and the amount of aromatics can be increased by co-pyrolysis with a bituminous waste.

Effects of salt content on leaching properties of synthetic bituminized wastes

The leaching properties of soluble components (Na+, NO−3, and NO−2) in synthetic bituminized wastes with various characteristics, such as salt content, salt composition, and bitumen matrix, were quantitatively evaluated by means of an aqueous leaching test. Micropores were formed in the bituminized waste by the leaching of soluble salts. The penetrability of bitumen and the salt content affected the size and the shape of the micropores observed by scanning electron microscopy. The linear relationship between leaching fraction of the soluble components and square root of leaching time was observed, and the diffusion coefficient of the soluble component was determined by Fick's law. The diffusion coefficients of ionic species of interest were similar to each other. Moreover, the diffusion coefficient agreed among bituminized wastes with the same salt content, even if salt composition and bitumen matrix were different. The diffusion coefficient of the component was proportional to the salt content in the synthetic bituminized wastes. It was found that the salt content in the bituminized waste was one of the key factors to determine the diffusion coefficient.

Osmosis-induced water uptake by Eurobitum bituminized radioactive waste and pressure development in constant volume conditions

The chemo-hydro-mechanical (CHM) interaction between swelling Eurobitum radioactive bituminized waste (BW) and Boom Clay is investigated to assess the feasibility of geological disposal for the long-term management of this waste. These so-called compatibility studies include laboratory water uptake tests at the Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK•CEN, and the development of a coupled CHM formulation for Eurobitum by the International Center for Numerical Methods and Engineering (CIMNE, Polytechnical University of Cataluña, Spain).In the water uptake tests, the osmosis-induced swelling, pressure increase and NaNO3 leaching of small cylindrical BW samples (diameter 38mm, height 10mm) is studied under constant total stress conditions and nearly constant volume conditions; the actual geological disposal conditions should be intermediate between these extremes. Two nearly constant volume tests were stopped after 1036 and 1555days to characterize the morphology of the hydrated BW samples and to visualize the hydrated part with microfocus X-ray Computer Tomography (μCT) and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). In parallel, a coupled CHM formulation is developed that describes chemically and hydraulically coupled flow processes in porous materials with salt crystals, and that incorporates a porosity dependent membrane efficiency, permeability and diffusivity.When Eurobitum BW is hydrated in (nearly) constant volume conditions, the osmosis-induced water uptake results in an increasing pressure to values that can be (in theory) as high as 42.8MPa, being the osmotic pressure of a saturated NaNO3 solution. After about four years of hydration in nearly constant volume water uptake tests, pressures up to 20MPa are measured. During this hydration period only the outer layers with a thickness of 1–2mm were hydrated (as derived from μCT and ESEM analyses), and only about 10–20% of the initial NaNO3 content was released by the samples. In the studied test conditions, the rates of water uptake and NaNO3 leaching are low because of the low porosity, and thus low permeability, of the hydrated BW samples in combination with a highly efficient semi-permeable bitumen membrane. In contrast to the hydration in free swelling conditions, the increase in porosity is limited by the high pressures in the nearly constant volume tests. Furthermore, at the interface with the stainless steel filters, a low permeable re-compressed bitumen layer is formed, as observed on the ESEM images.The experimental results of pressure increase and NaNO3 leaching, as well as observations on μCT and ESEM images (e.g. compression of leached layers, high dissolved NaNO3 concentration in hydrated BW after about four years), were reproduced rather successfully by the coupled CHM formulation for Eurobitum BW. A long-term model prediction of the evolution of the osmosis-induced pressure in the nearly constant volume tests shows that the pressure would reach a maximal value of about 20MPa after about 5.5years, after which the pressure would start to decrease. After 10,000days (∼27years) the pressure would have decreased to a value of ∼2MPa.

The osmosis-induced swelling and NaNO3 leaching of radioactive and artificially aged Eurobitum bituminized waste

ABSTRACTThe behavior of Eurobitum bituminized radioactive waste under geological disposal conditions is studied in water uptake tests at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN to assess the feasibility of geological disposal for the long-term management of this waste. The hydro-mechanical behavior of this waste is affected by the continuous evolution of the rheological properties of bitumen due to radio-oxidation (i.e. ageing).The effect of the bitumen ageing degree on the kinetics of the water uptake, swelling and NaNO3 leaching is investigated in water uptake tests with ∼30 years old radioactive samples and inactive samples that were artificially aged. The first results of swelling and NaNO3 leaching of (i) radioactive samples that have been hydrated for more than 2 years at a constant total stress of 2.2 MPa, and (ii) a thermally aged sample that has been hydrated for ∼1.5 years under nearly zero effective stress conditions, revealed lower swelling and higher leach rates for these samples compared to non-aged samples. The effect of ageing on the osmotic efficiency of bitumen as a semi-permeable membrane is less pronounced when swelling of the samples is limited, and changes in time, probably because of the formation of low porosity layers, which seems to mask the difference in bitumen membrane efficiency of aged and non-aged bituminized waste.

Effect of γ irradiation on nuclear bituminized waste products (BWP): X-ray microtomography and rheological characterization

In the last 50 years bitumen has been widely used in France as a matrix for embedding low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. This organic matrix is subjected to α, β and γ radiation generating radiolysis gases, which consist mainly of hydrogen but also some carbon oxide and lighter hydrocarbons. The gases form bubbles whose growth entails swelling of the bitumen if the radiolytic process of gas generation is more important than the removal process. To assess the influence of γ radiation on the swelling and rheological behavior of the bitumen matrix, external γ irradiation experiments were performed on pure bitumen (PB) and on a model synthesized bituminized waste product (BWP: 60 wt% bitumen + 40 wt% salts). Greater swelling was observed for the BWP samples than for PB. X-ray microtomography shows that the hydrogen bubbles are more numerous in the case of BWP, indicating that the salts may be considered as preferential nucleation sites. Moreover, the rheological characterization of the samples shows that the Newtonian viscosity is higher for the BWP model sample, and that the irradiation enhances this phenomenon. In the case of accelerated irradiation (dose rate exceeding the actual dose rate), swelling increases with the irradiation dose since the gas production rate is higher than the removal process until a plateau is reached at approximately 4–5 MGy, indicating an equilibrium between gas production and release. Finally, the impact of the dose rate on the number, size and shape of bubbles and on macroscopic swelling is discussed on the basis of X-ray microtomography results.

The Pyrolytic Characteristics and Kinetics of Agricultural Waste, Bituminous Coal, and Their Blends

This study investigates the pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of bituminous coal, vine-trimming waste, and blends of these in varying proportions. The pyrolysis of the bituminous coal and vine-trimming waste was performed at heating rates of 5°C/min, 20°C/min, and 80°C/min under a nitrogen flow rate of 50 ml/min from ambient to 1000°C. Different blends containing 10%, 20%, 40%, and 50% vine-trimming waste were prepared and pyrolyzed at a heating rate of 20°C/min and a nitrogen flow rate of 50 ml/min from room temperature up to 1000°C. The reaction degrees and kinetic parameters were calculated using the Coats and Redfern kinetic model. The pyrolysis of bituminous coal and vine-trimming waste took place in two stages, and with increasing heating rate there was a decrease in the activation energies. In contrast, the pyrolysis of the blends occurred in two stages. The first stage involves decomposition of vine-trimming waste, and the second one that of bituminous coal. As the proportion of vine-trimming waste in the blend increased, there was a decrease in the activation energy in the first stage and an increase in the second stage.