Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 116,761	$ 98,388	$ 324,653	$ 270,217
Gross margin	46,078	37,502	132,068	107,726
Income (loss) from operations	20,847	15,087	57,320	41,166
Depreciation and amortization	4,462	4,025	13,276	10,948
Total assets	412,418	380,979	412,418	380,979	375,581
Capital expenditures	4,249	2,475	13,494	9,985
Energy Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	68,181	51,670	193,148	144,029
Gross margin	28,424	21,849	85,074	61,548
Income (loss) from operations	19,903	16,247	60,690	45,300
Depreciation and amortization	1,103	932	3,264	2,201
Total assets	144,738	121,876	144,738	121,876
Capital expenditures	2,580	161	5,383	3,077
Consumer and Industrial Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	13,713	15,292	39,351	27,967
Gross margin	3,310	3,588	10,237	7,281
Income (loss) from operations	1,758	2,301	5,064	4,648
Depreciation and amortization	547	382	1,529	634
Total assets	89,574	97,129	89,574	97,129
Capital expenditures	7	165	37	165
Drilling Products [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	29,920	27,569	82,061	86,268
Gross margin	11,928	10,821	32,477	34,622
Income (loss) from operations	5,557	4,309	13,073	15,510
Depreciation and amortization	2,433	2,438	7,363	7,215
Total assets	142,774	136,832	142,774	136,832
Capital expenditures	818	1,596	6,139	4,066
Production Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	4,947	3,857	10,093	11,953
Gross margin	2,416	1,244	4,280	4,275
Income (loss) from operations	1,583	769	1,925	2,712
Depreciation and amortization	81	60	244	181
Total assets	18,252	16,542	18,252	16,542
Capital expenditures	141	225	252	1,669
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	(7,954)	(8,539)	(23,432)	(27,004)
Depreciation and amortization	298	213	876	717
Total assets	17,080	8,600	17,080	8,600
Capital expenditures	$ 703	$ 328	$ 1,683	$ 1,008