Basis of Preparation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Preparation	Basis of Preparation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Chart Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Chart”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. Nature of Operations: The Company is a leading diversified global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment for the industrial gas, energy, and biomedical industries. Chart’s equipment and engineered systems are primarily used for low-temperature and cryogenic applications utilizing our expertise in cryogenic systems and equipment, which operate at low temperatures sometimes approaching absolute zero (0 kelvin; -273° Centigrade; -459° Fahrenheit). The Company has domestic operations located across the United States, including principal executive offices located in Ohio, and an international presence in Asia, Australia, Europe and South America. Principles of Consolidation: The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2015 condensed consolidated cash flow statement in order to conform to the 2016 presentation. Additionally, beginning in 2016, the Company allocates share-based compensation expense to each operating segment and maintains share-based compensation expense related to Corporate employees at Corporate. Prior to 2016, all share-based compensation expense was recorded at Corporate. Reclassifications from Corporate to the operating segments have been made to the 2015 selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) to conform to the 2016 presentation. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. These estimates may also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Guarantees of Third-Party Performance: During the first quarter of 2016, the Company became a member to a consortium agreement relating to a project with a third-party. This agreement entails the Company guaranteeing not only its own performance, but also the work of a third-party consortium partner. In the event of non-fulfillment of contractual obligations by the consortium partner, the Company may be required to perform the obligations of the consortium partner. The agreement term covers the project through completion; approximately 1.5 years. At September 30, 2016, the estimated cost of the performance under this guarantee was 14.6 million euros (equivalent to $16.3 million). If losses are incurred under the guarantee due to third-party non-performance, the Company has certain rights that would allow it to mitigate such loss. If necessary, the carrying amount of any liability recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet would reflect the Company’s best estimate of future payments which it may incur as part of fulfilling its guarantee obligation. Currently, there is no liability recorded at September 30, 2016. Long-lived Asset Impairments: The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that long-lived assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company identified impairment indicators that suggest the carrying value of a certain asset group in China within the Distribution & Storage (“D&S”) segment may not be recoverable. The primary impairment indicators include recently completed projections of future cash flows and the associated impact on the long-range strategic plan forecasts, lower than expected cash flows attributed to this asset group and poor market conditions. An undiscounted cash flow test performed for this asset group indicated it was not recoverable. The fair value of the asset group was established using a discounted cash flow model which utilized Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. As a result of the long-lived asset impairment assessment performed, the Company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges on its D&S reporting unit of $1,217. The impairment charges were $542 related to finite-lived intangible assets and $675 related to tangible property, plant and equipment. There were no remaining long-lived assets recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for this asset group as of September 30, 2016. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2016, events and circumstances indicated that other tangible property, plant and equipment in China within our D&S segment might be impaired. However, the Company’s estimate of undiscounted cash flows indicated that such carrying values were expected to be recovered. Nonetheless, it is reasonably possible that the estimate of undiscounted cash flows may negatively change in the near term, which may result in the need to write down these assets to fair value. The Company’s estimate of cash flows may change in the future due to poor market conditions and excess capacity in the industry. Recently Issued Accounting Standards: In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The FASB issued the update to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The new guidance clarifies that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Two common examples of assets included in the scope of this update are intellectual property and property, plant and equipment. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued. The amendments in this update must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The FASB issued the update to clarify how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years and the guidance will generally be applied retroactively. Early adoption is permitted with all of the amendments adopted in the same period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The FASB issued the update in response to criticism that current guidance delays recognition of credit losses. The new guidance changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Additionally, for trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward looking “expected loss” model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Entities will have to disclose significantly more information, including information they use to track credit quality by year of origination for most financing receivables. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The FASB issued the update to change certain aspects of accounting for share-based payments to employees. The update eliminates additional paid-in-capital pools and requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statements of operations when the awards vest or settle. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company does not plan to early adopt and is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The FASB issued the update to require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet of lessees. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The ASU requires a modified retrospective transition method with the option to elect a package of practical expedients. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The amendments address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Except for certain early application guidance provided in the ASU, early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” The amendments require an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The amendments do not apply to inventory that is measured using the last-in, first-out cost method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out or average cost. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not plan to early adopt nor does it expect that the ASU will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The amendments require entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of the new standard by one year. As a result, the standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within such fiscal years. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, which amended the principal versus agent guidance in the new revenue standard and is intended to result in more consistent application and reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, which amended the guidance to clarify accounting for licenses of intellectual property and to clarify the guidance on performance obligations. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, which provided narrow-scope amendments and practical expedients for the new revenue standard and is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new standard. The new revenue recognition ASU allows full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. Early adoption is permitted as of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the transition method and effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures but does not intend to early adopt this standard. Recently Adopted Accounting Standard: In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest–Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” The amendments require an entity to present debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, which states that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs related to a revolving line-of-credit as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the revolving line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether a balance is outstanding. The Company adopted the guidance for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016. The new guidance was applied retrospectively for the prior period presented. The impact of the adoption of the guidance resulted in classification of the unamortized debt issuance cost related to the convertible notes on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in long-term debt. The unamortized debt issuance costs reclassified at December 31, 2015 were $1,836. Debt issuance costs related to the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility are classified in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Basis of Preparation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Chart Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Chart”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Nature of Operations: The Company is a leading diversified global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment for the industrial gas, energy, and biomedical industries. Chart’s equipment and engineered systems are primarily used for low-temperature and cryogenic applications utilizing our expertise in cryogenic systems and equipment, which operate at low temperatures sometimes approaching absolute zero (0 kelvin; -273° Centigrade; -459° Fahrenheit). The Company has domestic operations located across the United States, including principal executive offices located in Ohio, and an international presence in Asia, Australia, Europe and South America.

Principles of Consolidation: The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2015 condensed consolidated cash flow statement in order to conform to the 2016 presentation. Additionally, beginning in 2016, the Company allocates share-based compensation expense to each operating segment and maintains share-based compensation expense related to Corporate employees at Corporate. Prior to 2016, all share-based compensation expense was recorded at Corporate. Reclassifications from Corporate to the operating segments have been made to the 2015 selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) to conform to the 2016 presentation.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. These estimates may also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Guarantees of Third-Party Performance: During the first quarter of 2016, the Company became a member to a consortium agreement relating to a project with a third-party. This agreement entails the Company guaranteeing not only its own performance, but also the work of a third-party consortium partner. In the event of non-fulfillment of contractual obligations by the consortium partner, the Company may be required to perform the obligations of the consortium partner. The agreement term covers the project through completion; approximately 1.5 years. At September 30, 2016, the estimated cost of the performance under this guarantee was 14.6 million euros (equivalent to $16.3 million). If losses are incurred under the guarantee due to third-party non-performance, the Company has certain rights that would allow it to mitigate such loss. If necessary, the carrying amount of any liability recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet would reflect the Company’s best estimate of future payments which it may incur as part of fulfilling its guarantee obligation. Currently, there is no liability recorded at September 30, 2016.

Long-lived Asset Impairments: The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that long-lived assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets.

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company identified impairment indicators that suggest the carrying value of a certain asset group in China within the Distribution & Storage (“D&S”) segment may not be recoverable. The primary impairment indicators include recently completed projections of future cash flows and the associated impact on the long-range strategic plan forecasts, lower than expected cash flows attributed to this asset group and poor market conditions. An undiscounted cash flow test performed for this asset group indicated it was not recoverable. The fair value of the asset group was established using a discounted cash flow model which utilized Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. As a result of the long-lived asset impairment assessment performed, the Company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges on its D&S reporting unit of $1,217. The impairment charges were $542 related to finite-lived intangible assets and $675 related to tangible property, plant and equipment. There were no remaining long-lived assets recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for this asset group as of September 30, 2016.

Additionally, during the third quarter of 2016, events and circumstances indicated that other tangible property, plant and equipment in China within our D&S segment might be impaired. However, the Company’s estimate of undiscounted cash flows indicated that such carrying values were expected to be recovered. Nonetheless, it is reasonably possible that the estimate of undiscounted cash flows may negatively change in the near term, which may result in the need to write down these assets to fair value. The Company’s estimate of cash flows may change in the future due to poor market conditions and excess capacity in the industry.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards: In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The FASB issued the update to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The new guidance clarifies that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Two common examples of assets included in the scope of this update are intellectual property and property, plant and equipment. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued. The amendments in this update must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The FASB issued the update to clarify how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years and the guidance will generally be applied retroactively. Early adoption is permitted with all of the amendments adopted in the same period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The FASB issued the update in response to criticism that current guidance delays recognition of credit losses. The new guidance changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Additionally, for trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward looking “expected loss” model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Entities will have to disclose significantly more information, including information they use to track credit quality by year of origination for most financing receivables. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The FASB issued the update to change certain aspects of accounting for share-based payments to employees. The update eliminates additional paid-in-capital pools and requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statements of operations when the awards vest or settle. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company does not plan to early adopt and is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The FASB issued the update to require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet of lessees. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The ASU requires a modified retrospective transition method with the option to elect a package of practical expedients. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The amendments address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Except for certain early application guidance provided in the ASU, early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” The amendments require an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The amendments do not apply to inventory that is measured using the last-in, first-out cost method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out or average cost. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not plan to early adopt nor does it expect that the ASU will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The amendments require entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of the new standard by one year. As a result, the standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within such fiscal years. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, which amended the principal versus agent guidance in the new revenue standard and is intended to result in more consistent application and reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, which amended the guidance to clarify accounting for licenses of intellectual property and to clarify the guidance on performance obligations. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, which provided narrow-scope amendments and practical expedients for the new revenue standard and is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new standard. The new revenue recognition ASU allows full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. Early adoption is permitted as of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the transition method and effect that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures but does not intend to early adopt this standard.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standard: In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest–Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” The amendments require an entity to present debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, which states that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs related to a revolving line-of-credit as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the revolving line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether a balance is outstanding. The Company adopted the guidance for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016. The new guidance was applied retrospectively for the prior period presented. The impact of the adoption of the guidance resulted in classification of the unamortized debt issuance cost related to the convertible notes on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in long-term debt. The unamortized debt issuance costs reclassified at December 31, 2015 were $1,836. Debt issuance costs related to the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility are classified in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.