Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 60,516		$ 79,954
Income (loss) from operations	(6,785)	$ (6,785)	(623)
Depreciation and amortization	3,002		3,032
Capital expenditures	1,787		1,877
Operating Segments \| Energy Chemistry Technologies
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	41,069		60,765
Income (loss) from operations	(166)		8,548
Depreciation and amortization	1,769		1,849
Capital expenditures	1,011		514
Operating Segments \| Consumer and Industrial Chemistry Technologies
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	19,447		19,189
Income (loss) from operations	2,438		3,705
Depreciation and amortization	669		579
Capital expenditures	410		500
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	0		0
Income (loss) from operations	(9,057)		(12,876)
Depreciation and amortization	564		604
Capital expenditures	$ 366		$ 863

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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Amount of acquisition of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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