Herein, we utilized waste triglycerides “cooking oil” as an abundant source for biodiesel (methyl esters) production via transesterification over a novel synthesized heterogeneous catalyst (Zn-MgO-ZrO₂). The catalyst was prepared by the co-precipitation technique and analyzed by using X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, temperature desorption analysis and surface analysis to better understand the surface chemistry of the catalyst. Moreover, the biodiesel production process through transesterification by using Zn-MgO-ZrO₂ was optimized. The optimal biodiesel yield was 92.3 wt% when the optimal set of process variables were at a temperature of 80 °C, molar ratio 12 (methanol and oil), time 4 h and catalyst amount was 4 wt%. The synthesized heterogeneous catalyst is reusable with almost equal efficiency as for the fresh catalyst. Different techniques also examined the quality of produced biodiesel according to the standard procedures defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and European Union (EU) Standards.

在这里，我们利用废甘油三酸酯“蒸煮油”作为通过新型合成的非均相催化剂（Zn-MgO-ZrO ₂）的酯交换反应生产生物柴油（甲酯）的丰富来源。通过共沉淀技术制备催化剂，并通过X射线衍射，扫描电子显微镜，温度解吸分析和表面分析进行分析，以更好地理解催化剂的表面化学性质。此外，通过使用Zn-MgO-ZrO _2的酯交换反应生产生物柴油的过程已优化。当最佳的工艺变量集在80°C，摩尔比12（甲醇和油），时间4 h和催化剂量为4 wt％时，最佳生物柴油产率为92.3 wt％。合成的多相催化剂可以以与新鲜催化剂几乎相同的效率重复使用。根据美国测试和材料学会（ASTM）和欧盟（EU）标准所定义的标准程序，不同的技术还检查了生产的生物柴油的质量。