v2.4.0.8

Equity Investments (Details) | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2008 Sale of Shares in TCC to TKK [Member] | Dec. 31, 2009 Sale and Transfer of Specific Three Way Catalyst and Zero Platinum Group Metal Patents to TKK [Member] | Feb. 28, 2010 Agreement to Loan to TCC [Member] USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2010 Agreement to Loan to TCC [Member] JPY (¥) | Dec. 31, 2013 Agreement to Loan to TCC [Member] JPY (¥) | Dec. 31, 2013 Agreement to Loan to TCC [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2010 Agreement to Loan to TCC [Member] JPY (¥) | Dec. 31, 2013 Other Expense [Member] Joint Venture [Member] USD ($) | Apr. 30, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] USD ($) | Apr. 30, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] EUR (€) | Feb. 28, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] EUR (€) | Dec. 31, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] EUR (€) | Dec. 31, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] EUR (€) | Dec. 31, 2013 Other Assets [Member] USD ($)
Equity Investments (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership after Transaction |  |  | 30.00% | 5.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction |  |  |  |  | $ 400,000 | ¥ 37,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Advances to Affiliate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200,000 | 37,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Collection of Advance to Affiliate (in Yen) |  | 129,000 |  |  |  |  | 21,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated Income (Loss) in Joint Venture |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50.00% | 50.00% | 50.00% | 50.00% |
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 66,000 | 50,000 | 361,000 | 262,000 |  |  |
Payments for Advance to Affiliate | 261,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 261,000 | 200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain Loss on Joint Venture |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 600,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,200,000 | (900,000) |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 100,000

X
- Definition Amount of accumulated Income or Loss for the period allocated to the partner. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cdti_AccumulatedIncomeLossJointVenture
Namespace Prefix: | cdti_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | cdti_EquityInvestmentsDetailsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | cdti_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of joint venture. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cdti_GainLossOnJointVenture
Namespace Prefix: | cdti_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Long-Term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership. This does not include advances to clients. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-04.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e603758-122996 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 2 -Article 6 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdvancesToAffiliate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of Equity in net profit and loss for the period. Give totals for each group. If operations of any controlled companies are different in character from those of the company, group such affiliates (1) within divisions and (2) by type of activities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 320 -Section S99 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6955306&loc=d3e611322-123010 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 14 -Paragraph 2,6 -Article 12 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 14 -Paragraph Column C -Article 12 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesAmountOfEquity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash outflow from advancing money to an affiliate (an entity that is related but not strictly controlled by the entity). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the investment in or advances to an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow from the collection of money previously advanced to an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfAdvanceToAffiliate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of transactions with related party during the financial reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of subsidiary's or equity investee's stock owned by parent company after stock transaction. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SaleOfStockPercentageOfOwnershipAfterTransaction
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration