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Accounting policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Feb. 11, 2016
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax |  |  | $ 69,630 | $ 50,299 | $ (485,291) |
Cash, Uninsured Amount | $ 2,700,000 |  | 2,700,000 |  |  |
Impairment of goodwill |  |  | 1,400,000 | 1,750,000 | 0 |
Accumulated Amortization of Other Deferred Costs | 2,000,000 |  | $ 2,000,000 | 1,800,000 |  |
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information |  |  | The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock where the Company holds 20% to 50% of the voting stock of the investee and has significant influence over its operating and financial policies but does not meet the criteria for consolidation. |  |  |
Criteria For Recognizing Investment At Cost |  |  | Investments where the Company does not exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee and holds less than 20% of the voting stock are recorded at cost |  |  |
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value | 16,388,030 |  | $ 16,388,030 | 1,499,707 |  |
Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Held In Foreign Bank | 43,800,000 |  | 43,800,000 |  |  |
Goodwill | 8,384,248 |  | 8,384,248 | 9,784,248 |  |
Amortization of Other Deferred Charges |  |  | 179,353 | 179,353 | $ 179,353 |
Aerex Industries Inc [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of goodwill | 1,400,000 | $ 1,750,000 | 1,400,000 | 1,750,000 |  |
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired |  |  |  |  |  | 51.00%
Goodwill | 4,885,211 | $ 6,285,211 | 4,885,211 |  |  | $ 8,035,211
Certificates of Deposit [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value | 15,900,000 |  | 15,900,000 | $ 1,000,000 |  |
BELIZE |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits held in foreign bank | 6,300,000 |  | 6,300,000 |  |  |
BAHAMAS |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits held in foreign bank | 14,300,000 |  | $ 14,300,000 |  |  |
Retail [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage |  |  | 121.00% | 123.00% |  |
Goodwill | 1,170,511 |  | $ 1,170,511 | $ 1,170,511 |  |
Bulk [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage |  |  | 59.00% | 41.00% |  |
Goodwill | 2,328,526 |  | $ 2,328,526 | $ 2,328,526 |  |
Capitalized Engineering Labor and Materials Cost [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Assets | 3,500,000 |  | $ 3,500,000 | $ 3,500,000 |  |
Manufacturing Units [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage |  |  | 12.00% | 26.00% |  |
Goodwill | $ 4,885,211 |  | $ 4,885,211 | $ 6,285,211 |  |

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