Determination of effects of various alcohol additions into peanut methyl ester on performance and emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine

•Blending of 3 different alcohols with peanut biodiesel.•Determining the fuel properties of blends.•Constituting the performance and emission curves with respect to engine speed.•Performing detailed cost analysis. In this experimental study, effects of various alcohol additions into peanut methyl ester (PME) with ratio of 20% (by vol.) are investigated. After determining fuel properties of ethanol–methyl ester (EME), methanol–methyl ester (MME) and buthanol–methyl ester (BME), their effects on engine performance and emissions are compared with PME and neat diesel fuel. It is observed that oxygen content of alcohols enhances combustion and increased engine power and torque values are achieved compared to PME. Also, improved combustion results in reduced carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and increased nitrogen oxides (NOx). It is concluded that, average increments of 2.4%, 10% and 12.8% are obtained for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to PME, in terms of engine power. Average increments of 1.2%, 3.4% and 6.1% are obtained for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to PME, in terms of engine torque. Average reductions of 4.8%, 1.8% and 9.1% are achieved for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to PME, in terms of CO emissions and average increments of 13.8%, 4.1% and 17.4% are achieved for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to PME, in terms of NOx emissions. On the other hand, average reductions of 26.36%, 20.85% and 18.91% are attained for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to neat diesel fuel, in terms of engine power. Average reductions of 20.53%, 18.81% and 16.67% are acquired for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to neat diesel fuel, in terms of engine torque. Average reductions of 12.17%, 9.37% and 16.14% are obtained for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to neat diesel fuel, in terms of CO emissions and average increments of 18.49%, 8.26% and 22.19% are achieved for MME, EME and BME, respectively compared to neat diesel fuel, in terms of NOx emissions.