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Accounting policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Aug. 11, 2020 | Jan. 24, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2019
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax |  |  | $ 14,751 | $ 20,441 | $ 56,050 | $ 54,586 |
Contracts in progress |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts in progress |  |  | 2,300,000 |  | 2,300,000 |  |
Revenue expected to earn as it satisfies its performance obligations during the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2020 |  |  | 400,000 |  | 400,000 |  |
Revenue expected to earn as it satisfies its performance obligations after year ending December 31, 2020 |  |  | 1,900,000 |  | $ 1,900,000 |  |
Aerex |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts in progress |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest acquired |  | 49.00% |  |  |  |  |
Cash |  | $ 8,500,000 |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest held |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |
PERC Water Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts in progress |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest acquired | 10.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash | $ 900,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest held | 61.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts in progress |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of days after consumption billings are collected |  |  |  |  | 30 days |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts in progress |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of days after consumption billings are collected |  |  |  |  | 35 days |  |
Bahamas [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits held in foreign bank |  |  | 12,400,000 |  | $ 12,400,000 |  |
Certificates of Deposit [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value |  |  | 11,000,000.0 |  | 11,000,000.0 |  | $ 12,700,000
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value |  |  | $ 11,000,000.0 |  | $ 11,000,000.0 |  | $ 12,700,000

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