During the great European war when steel for structural use was almost unobtainable
except for war requirements, ferro-concrete received a great impetus in this country.
Apart from its use in buildings, bridges, bunkers and general sbructures, ferro-concrete was tried in the construction of ships, oil tanks and even gas purifier tanks. The peculiar problems involved in the construction of these fluid-tight vessels gave rise to a band of pioneers, all of whom excepting one confined themselves to water-tight work required in ferro-concrete ships and oil tanks. The exception was Dr. B.N. Dey, D.Sc. (Engineering) who continued his pioneering work and convinced the gas engineers of the efficiency and durability of gas purifier tanks built in special fluid-tight ferro-concrete as developed by him. Numerous purifier tanks were erected in Dr. Dey's System throughout the country and proved not only equally efficient
and more durable, but 33 to 40 per cent. cheaper in first cost than the cast iron purifier tanks, as in the case of £200,000 gas purifier installation at Provan Gasworks of the Corporation of the City of Glasgow, who saved £80,000 by adopting Dr.
Dey's designs.