Abstract. In this work, the combustion characteristics of coal gangue (CG), municipal refuse derived fuel (RDF) and their blends were investigated via thermogravimetric analysis. Effects of the RDF on the whole co-combustion process like the devolatilization, ignition, and burnout characteristics were analyzed. The results showed that the combustion profiles of RDF were more complex than that of coal gangue. The blending of RDF could improve the combustion characteristics of coal gangue, especially the volatile release and ignition characteristics. Further, the kinetic results showed RDF could improve the reactivity of char combustion stage of the co-fuels and the effect was more pronounced with higher RDF blending ratio. All of these results indicated the feasibility of co-combustion of RDF and coal gangue in the existing coal gangue power station.