Acquisitions and Dispositions - Summary of Key Financial Information (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Income from discontinued businesses			$ 569,135,000	$ 0	$ 0
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax			27,531,000	43,942,000	20,379,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		$ (2,300,000)	7,704,000	1,127,000	2,265,000
Air-cooled heat exchangers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(5,300,000)
Harsco Industrial | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue			306,972,000	374,707,000	299,592,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Costs of Goods Sold			224,811,000	276,198,000	225,163,000
Income from discontinued businesses			569,135,000	0	0
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax			27,823,000	43,593,000	20,049,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, General and Administrative Expense			8,429,000	0	0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Interest Expense			11,237,000	16,613,000	20,689,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(5,314,000)	$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate swaps | Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net	$ (2,700,000)		$ (2,741,000)