In this paper, the fuel properties of mixtures of diesel fuel and ethanol and diesel fuel and butanol in the ratio of 2.5% to 30% were investigated. The physicochemical properties of the blends such as the cetane number, cetane index, density, flash point, kinematic viscosity, lubricity, CFPP, and distillation characteristics were measured, and the effect on fuel properties was evaluated. These properties were compared with the current EN 590+A1 standard to evaluate the suitability of the blends for use in unmodified engines. The alcohols were found to be a suitable bio-component diesel fuel additive. For most physicochemical properties, butanol was found to have more suitable properties than ethanol when used in diesel engines. The results show that for some properties, a butanol-diesel fuel mixture can be mixed up to a ratio of 15%. Other properties would meet the standard by a suitable choice of base diesel.
Keywords: CFPP; alternative fuel; biomaterials; butanol; cetane number; distillation; ethanol; lubricity; second generation.