This experimental investigation evaluates the combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of cottonseed oil and its (methyl ester) bio-diesel in blends with 20% by vol. of either n-butanol or diethyl ether (DEE), fueling a standard, experimental, single-cylinder, four-stroke, high-speed direct injection (HSDI), 'Hydra' diesel engine. The tests are conducted using each of the above fuel blends or neat cottonseed oil or its neat bio-diesel, with the engine operating at three different loads. Fuel consumption, exhaust smoke, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and total unburned hydrocarbons (HCs) are measured. The differences in the performance and exhaust emissions of these fuel blends from the baseline operation of the diesel engine, i.e. when working with neat cottonseed oil or its neat bio-diesel, are compared. Fuel injection and combustion chamber pressure diagrams are obtained, and heat release rate analysis of the latter ones is performed revealing some interesting features of the combustion mechanisms. These results and the widely differing physical and chemical properties of n-butanol and DEE against those for the cottonseed oil and its bio-diesel are used to aid the correct interpretation of the observed engine behavior. It is revealed that n-butanol and DEE, which can be produced from biomass (bio-butanol and bio-DEE), when added to the vegetable oil or its bio-diesel improve the behavior of diesel engine. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.