Abstract: There is provided an additive for the hydroconversion of a heavy hydrocarbon oil, which is obtained by suspending a fine powder of a carbonaceous substance and a solution of a heteropolymolybdic acid and/or transition metal salts thereof in a hydrocarbon oil. By the use of the additive of the present invention, the hydroconversion of a heavy hydrocarbon oil can be effectively performed at high conversion without occurrence of coking.

Abstract: A process for converting a heavy hydrocarbon into a more valuable product which comprises:adding to the heavy hydrocarbon at least two kinds of substances comprising an oil-soluble or water-soluble transition metal compound and an ultra-fine powder which can be suspended in a hydrocarbon and has an average particle size within the range from 5 to 1000 m.mu.;thermally cracking the heavy hydrocarbon in the presence of a hydrogen gas or a hydrogen sulfide-containing hydrogen gas; andrecovering the resulting lighter hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A method for knitting a flat knitted fabric, wherein all knitting needles of the flat knitting machine are individually connected to an actuator, and each actuator of the corresponding knitting needle is activated in accordance with the predetermined knitting plan, and a flat knitting machine for implementing the above-mentioned knitting method. Preferably a linear direct current motor is used as the actuator. The flat knitting machine in accordance with the present invention can be operated at a higher speed than known conventional knitting machines and can provide a novel flat knitted fabric which cannot be knitted by the conventional flat knitting machine, by individually changing a retracting length of a needle.