abstract:Dry basis is an expression of the calculation in chemistry, chemical engineering and related subjects, in which the presence of water is ignored for the purposes of the calculation. Water is neglected because addition and removal of water are common processing steps, and also happen naturally through evaporation and condensation; it is frequently useful to express compositions on a dry basis to remove these effects.
The treatments depended largely on the belief that we are all compounds of hot, cold, wet and dry bodily humours: this was the basis of medicine from classical times, still used by herbalists and homeopaths.
Or an industry critic might see a dry-gas report, compare it with another estimate made on a wet basis, and conclude that production is falling short of expectations.