Entity Central Index Key Accrued death and other executive benefits. Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Supplies prepaid items and other. Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of precious metals used as a catalyst in the chemical manufacturing process to be consumed or sold within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Total supplies, prepaid items and other. Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of other noncurrent indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible and noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet not expected to be realized or consumed after one year. Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Class of Stock Statement Class Of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock Class Of Stock [Domain] Series E Preferred Stock [Member] Series E Preferred Stock [Member] Series F Preferred Stock [Member] Series F Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Preferred Stock [Member] Series D Preferred Stock [Member] Series D Preferred Stock [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable Net Current Inventories Inventory Net Supplies, prepaid items and other: Supplies Prepaid Items And Other [Abstract] Prepaid insurance Prepaid Insurance Precious metals Precious Metals Supplies Supplies Prepaid and refundable income taxes Prepaid Taxes Other Other Prepaid Expense Current Total supplies, prepaid items and other Supplies Prepaid Items And Other Total current assets Assets Current Property, plant and equipment, net Property Plant And Equipment Net Intangible and other assets, net Intangibles And Other Assets Net Total assets Assets Less treasury stock at cost. Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable Current Short-term financing Short Term Borrowings Accrued and other liabilities Other Liabilities Current Current portion of long-term debt Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Long-term debt, net Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Noncurrent accrued and other liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Commitments And Contingencies Redeemable preferred stocks: Temporary Equity [Abstract] Redeemable preferred stock, value Temporary Equity Carrying Amount Attributable To Parent Stockholders' equity: Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Preferred stock, value Preferred Stock Value Common stock, $.10 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 31,280,685 shares issued Common Stock Value Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid In Capital Retained earnings Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Stockholders equity including treasury stock Stockholders Equity Before Treasury Stock Less treasury stock, at cost: Less Treasury Stock At Cost [Abstract] Common stock, 2,662,027 shares (3,004,855 shares at December 31, 2016) Treasury Stock Value Total stockholders' equity Stockholders Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Temporary equity dividend rate percentage. Cumulative redeemable preferred stock, dividend rate Temporary Equity Dividend Rate Percentage Redeemable preferred stock, par value Temporary Equity Par Or Stated Value Per Share Redeemable preferred stock, shares issued Temporary Equity Shares Issued Redeemable preferred stock, shares outstanding Temporary Equity Shares Outstanding Redeemable preferred stock, liquidation preference Temporary Equity Liquidation Preference Convertible preferred stock dividend rate Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Percentage Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Series B cumulative, convertible preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Series D cumulative, convertible Class C preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock No Par Value Common stock, par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Issued Treasury stock, common shares Treasury Stock Shares Income Statement [Abstract] Net sales Sales Revenue Net Cost of sales Cost Of Revenue Gross profit (loss) Gross Profit Selling, general and administrative expense Selling General And Administrative Expense Impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill Asset Impairment Charges Other expense (income), net Other Operating Income Expense Net Operating loss Operating Income Loss Interest expense, net Interest Expense Loss on extinguishment of debt Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt Non-operating other expense (income), net Other Nonoperating Income Expense Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest Benefit for income taxes Income Tax Expense Benefit Loss from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity Net income (loss) Net Income Loss Dividends on convertible preferred stocks Dividends Preferred Stock Cash Dividends on Series E redeemable preferred stock Temporary Equity Dividends Adjustment Accretion of Series E redeemable preferred stock Temporary Equity Accretion To Redemption Value Adjustment Net income attributable to participating securities Undistributed Earnings Loss Allocated To Participating Securities Basic Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic Income (loss) per common share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic: Earnings Per Share Basic [Abstract] Loss from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share Net income (loss) Earnings Per Share Basic Diluted: Earnings Per Share Diluted [Abstract] Loss from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share Net income (loss) Earnings Per Share Diluted Adjustments to additional paid in capital stock warrants issuance costs. Stock issued during period shares warrants exercised. Stock issued during period value warrants exercised. Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Shares [Member] Common Stock [Member] Treasury Stock-Common [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Balance Balance, shares Shares Issued Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle New Accounting Pronouncement Or Change In Accounting Principle Effect Of Change On Net Income Net income (loss) Dividends paid on convertible preferred stocks Dividend accrued on redeemable preferred stock Temporary Equity Accretion Of Dividends Accretion of redeemable preferred stock Stock-based compensation Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options, shares Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised Exercise of warrants, net Stock Issued During Period Value Warrants Exercised Exercise of warrants, shares Stock Issued During Period Shares Warrants Exercised Common stock issued for services Stock Issued During Period Value Issued For Services Common stock issued for services, shares Stock Issued During Period Shares Issued For Services Restricted stock granted from treasury stock Stock Issued During Period Value Restricted Stock Award Net Of Forfeitures Restricted stock granted from treasury stock, shares Stock Issued During Period Shares Restricted Stock Award Net Of Forfeitures Common stock warrants issued Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Warrant Issued Common stock warrants issuance costs Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Stock Warrants Issuance Costs Excess income tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Excess income tax detriment associated with stock-based compensation Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Income Tax Deficiency From Share Based Compensation Other Stock Issued During Period Value Other Other, Shares Stock Issued During Period Shares Other Balance Balance, shares The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible and other assets in a systematic manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. Gain (loss) on sales of business and other property and equipment. Acquisition of working interest in natural gas properties. Payments of preferred stocks and warrants issuance costs. Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Twelve percentage senior secured notes. 12% Senior Secured Notes [Member] Twelve Percentage Senior Secured Notes [Member] Cash flows from continuing operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by continuing operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Depreciation, depletion and amortization of property, plant and equipment Depreciation Amortization of intangible and other assets Amortization Of Intangible And Other Assets Loss on sales of businesses and other property and equipment Gain Loss On Sales Of Business And Other Property And Equipment Stock-based compensation Share Based Compensation Other Other Noncash Income Expense Cash provided (used) by changes in assets and liabilities (net of effects of discontinued operations): Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Inventories Increase Decrease In Inventories Prepaid insurance Increase Decrease In Prepaid Insurance Prepaid and accrued income taxes Increase Decrease In Accrued Income Taxes Payable Other supplies, prepaid items and other Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Accrued interest Increase Decrease In Interest Payable Net Customer deposits Increase Decrease In Customer Deposits Other current and noncurrent liabilities Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Net cash provided (used) by continuing operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from continuing investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Expenditures for property, plant and equipment Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Acquisition of working interests in natural gas properties Acquisition Of Working Interests In Natural Gas Properties Proceeds from sales of businesses and other property and equipment Proceeds From Sales Of Business Affiliate And Productive Assets Proceeds from short-term investments Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments Purchases of short-term investments Payments To Acquire Short Term Investments Proceeds from current and noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents Decrease In Restricted Cash Deposits of current and noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents Increase In Restricted Cash Proceeds from noncurrent restricted investments Proceeds From Sale Of Restricted Investments Other investing activities Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Net cash provided (used) by continuing investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from continuing financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Proceeds from revolving debt facility Proceeds From Lines Of Credit Payments on revolving debt facility Repayments Of Lines Of Credit Proceeds from senior secured notes, net of pay off of secured term loan, discount and fees Proceeds From Issuance Of Senior Long Term Debt Payments on senior secured notes Repayments Of Senior Debt Proceeds from other long-term debt, net of fees Proceeds From Issuance Of Other Long Term Debt Payments on other long-term debt Repayments Of Other Long Term Debt Payments of debt modification and issuance costs Payments Of Debt Issuance Costs Payments of debt extinguishment costs Payments Of Debt Extinguishment Costs Proceeds from loans secured by cash value of life insurance policies Proceeds From Repayments Of Secured Debt Proceeds from short-term financing Proceeds From Short Term Debt Payments on short-term financing Repayments Of Short Term Debt Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred stocks, net of discount and fees Proceeds From Issuance Of Redeemable Preferred Stock Redemption of preferred stock Payments For Repurchase Of Redeemable Preferred Stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock warrants, net of discount and fees Proceeds From Issuance Of Warrants Payments of issuance costs relating to preferred stocks and warrants Payments Of Preferred Stocks And Warrants Issuance Costs Proceeds from exercises of stock options Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised Taxes paid on equity awards Payments Related To Tax Withholding For Share Based Compensation Dividends paid on preferred stocks Payments Of Dividends Preferred Stock And Preference Stock Net cash provided (used) by continuing financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows of discontinued operations: Net Cash Provided By Used In Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Net cash provided (used) by operating activities Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations Net cash used by investing activities Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations Net cash provided (used) by financing activities Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Discontinued Operations Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations Net Cash Provided By Used In Discontinued Operations