Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 105,318	$ 93,586	$ 207,893	$ 171,829
Gross margin	42,310	37,594	85,990	70,224
Income (loss) from operations	17,675	13,531	36,473	26,079
Depreciation and amortization	4,595	3,890	8,814	6,923
Total assets	408,221	383,110	408,221	383,110	375,581
Capital expenditures	4,257	4,736	9,245	9,119
Energy Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	62,589	47,709	124,966	92,359
Gross margin	27,432	20,586	56,650	39,699
Income (loss) from operations	19,162	14,729	40,785	29,053
Depreciation and amortization	1,095	809	2,162	1,269
Total assets	140,028	119,137	140,028	119,137
Capital expenditures	1,418	1,933	2,804	2,958
Consumer and Industrial Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	12,607	12,675	25,638	12,675
Gross margin	2,893	3,693	6,927	3,693
Income (loss) from operations	972	2,347	3,307	2,347
Depreciation and amortization	549	252	982	252
Total assets	97,935	104,201	97,935	104,201
Capital expenditures	17	35	30	35
Drilling Products [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	27,241	29,785	52,142	58,699
Gross margin	10,762	12,455	20,550	23,801
Income (loss) from operations	4,200	5,782	7,517	11,201
Depreciation and amortization	2,493	2,415	4,930	4,777
Total assets	139,095	118,722	139,095	118,722
Capital expenditures	2,025	2,141	5,321	3,002
Production Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	2,881	3,417	5,147	8,096
Gross margin	1,223	860	1,863	3,031
Income (loss) from operations	421	330	343	1,943
Depreciation and amortization	92	60	163	121
Total assets	15,922	13,296	15,922	13,296
Capital expenditures	50	70	110	1,067
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	0	0	0	0
Gross margin	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	(7,080)	(9,657)	(15,479)	(18,465)
Depreciation and amortization	366	354	577	504
Total assets	15,241	27,754	15,241	27,754
Capital expenditures	$ 747	$ 557	$ 980	$ 2,057