Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 73,679	$ 87,942	$ 218,287	$ 257,346
Gross profit	25,366	31,227	74,216	87,006
Income (loss) from operations	(4,295)	2,777	(53,033)	(17,120)
Depreciation and amortization	3,549	4,433	11,069	13,613
Total assets	382,540	400,945	382,540	400,945	$ 403,090
Capital expenditures	2,665	2,115	11,621	11,078
Operating Segments | Energy Chemistry Technologies
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	45,030	60,181	133,094	163,296
Gross profit	18,180	24,257	54,609	60,784
Income (loss) from operations	6,196	14,283	21,793	32,995
Depreciation and amortization	1,582	1,200	4,063	3,578
Total assets	172,456	152,430	172,456	152,430
Capital expenditures	2,005	1,467	8,704	5,910
Operating Segments | Consumer and Industrial Chemistry Technologies
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	19,306	13,867	59,133	42,808
Gross profit	4,174	3,082	13,256	10,914
Income (loss) from operations	2,433	1,728	8,508	6,792
Depreciation and amortization	567	548	1,685	1,649
Total assets	101,921	90,948	101,921	90,948
Capital expenditures	148	18	494	46
Operating Segments | Drilling Technologies
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	7,198	10,812	20,026	41,840
Gross profit	2,908	3,302	6,150	13,396
Income (loss) from operations	(924)	(2,614)	(43,493)	(24,551)
Depreciation and amortization	599	2,038	3,027	6,575
Total assets	67,655	110,872	67,655	110,872
Capital expenditures	234	0	717	2,744
Operating Segments | Production Technologies
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	2,145	3,082	6,034	9,402
Gross profit	104	586	201	1,912
Income (loss) from operations	(1,118)	(823)	(7,810)	(2,958)
Depreciation and amortization	220	212	660	535
Total assets	23,235	26,564	23,235	26,564
Capital expenditures	51	107	286	883
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	(10,882)	(9,797)	(32,031)	(29,398)
Depreciation and amortization	581	435	1,634	1,276
Total assets	17,273	20,131	17,273	20,131
Capital expenditures	$ 227	$ 523	$ 1,420	$ 1,495