Thermoenergy (TMENOB) 10-Q 14 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 08, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'THERMOENERGY CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000884504	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Trading Symbol	'TMENOB	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	135,760,516
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash	$3,300	$4,657
Accounts receivable, net	405	1,246
Costs-in-excess of billings	299	597
Inventories	50	53
Deposits	1	1,566
Other current assets	222	146
Total Current Assets	4,277	8,265
Property and equipment, net	636	668
Other assets	40	0
TOTAL ASSETS	4,953	8,933
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY	'	'
Accounts payable	731	2,143
Short term borrowings	4,000	4,191
Convertible debt, net - current portion	2,061	1,250
Billings-in-excess of costs	182	4,922
Derivative liabilities, current portion	141	20
Accrued contract costs	54	1,545
Other current liabilities	1,019	1,388
Total Current Liabilities	8,188	15,459
Long Term Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	328	2,214
Convertible debt, net	0	1,838
Other long term liabilities	29	33
Total Long Term Liabilities	357	4,085
Total Liabilities	8,545	19,544
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	'	'
Stockholders' Deficiency:	'	'
Common Stock, $0.001 par value: authorized: 800,000,000 shares at September 30, 2013 and 425,000,000 at December 31, 2012; issued: 135,894,313 shares at September 30, 2013 and 120,588,372 shares at December 31, 2012; outstanding: 135,760,516 shares at September 30, 2013 and 120,454,575 shares at December 31, 2012	136	120
Additional paid-in capital	108,415	110,062
Accumulated deficit	-121,193	-120,892
Treasury stock, at cost: 133,797 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	-18	-18
Total Stockholders’ Deficiency for ThermoEnergy Corporation	-12,563	-10,609
Noncontrolling interest	0	-2
Total Stockholders' Deficiency	-12,563	-10,611
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY	4,953	8,933
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' Deficiency:	'	'
Preferred Stock Value	2	2
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' Deficiency:	'	'
Preferred Stock Value	6	117
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' Deficiency:	'	'
Preferred Stock Value	8,971	0
Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' Deficiency:	'	'
Preferred Stock Value	$89	$0

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Parenthetical] (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	800,000,000	425,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	135,894,313	120,588,372
Common stock, shares outstanding	135,760,516	120,454,575
Treasury stock, shares	133,797	133,797
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, liquidation value per share (in dollars per share)	$1.20	$1.20
Preferred stock, shares authorized	208,334	208,334
Preferred stock, shares issued	208,334	208,334
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	208,334	208,334
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, liquidation value per share (in dollars per share)	$2.40	$2.40
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	12,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	551,725	11,664,993
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	551,725	11,664,993
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	'
Preferred stock, liquidation value per share (in dollars per share)	$1.52	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	13,853,106	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	13,853,106	'
Series B1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, liquidation value per share (in dollars per share)	$2.40	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	11,000,000	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	8,919,854	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	8,919,854	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue	$532	$2,032	$2,621	$5,620
Less: cost of revenue	870	2,031	2,948	5,238
Gross profit	-338	1	-327	382
Operating Expenses:	'	'	'	'
General and administrative	697	1,035	2,422	3,951
Engineering, research and development	69	160	437	363
Sales and marketing	435	598	1,261	2,188
Total operating expenses	1,201	1,793	4,120	6,502
Loss from operations	-1,539	-1,792	-4,447	-6,120
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Gain on contract termination	0	0	4,878	0
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities	1,205	574	2,074	1,100
Other derivative expense	0	-565	0	-565
Interest expense, net	-109	-101	-2,483	-355
Equity in income (loss) of joint ventures	-202	24	-296	14
Other expense	-10	-8	-27	-19
Net loss	-655	-1,868	-301	-5,945
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	2
Net loss attributable to ThermoEnergy Corporation	($655)	($1,868)	($301)	($5,943)
Loss per share attributable to ThermoEnergy Corporation, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.02)	$0	($0.06)
Weighted average shares used in computing loss per share, basic and diluted (in shares)	135,760,516	111,015,893	130,434,273	97,509,352

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Activities:	'	'
Net loss	($301)	($5,945)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Gain on contract termination	-4,878	0
Stock-based compensation expense	246	719
Equity in losses of joint venture	296	-14
Derivative liability income	-2,074	-1,100
Other derivative expense	0	565
Common stock issued for services	0	89
Non-cash interest added to note receivable	-5	0
Non-cash interest added to debt	121	113
Loss on disposal of equipment	0	131
Depreciation	146	81
Amortization of discount on convertible debt	2,180	134
Increase (decrease) in cash arising from changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	841	2,885
Costs-in-excess of billings	298	-383
Inventories	3	-118
Deposits	1,565	-183
Other current assets	-5	248
Accounts payable	-1,412	-434
Billings-in-excess of costs	138	-1,793
Accrued contract costs	-1,491	1,033
Other current liabilities	55	-1,041
Other long-term liabilities	-104	-74
Net cash used in operating activities	-4,381	-5,087
Investing Activities:	'	'
Investment in joint venture	-300	-101
Purchases of property and equipment	-114	-134
Net cash used in investing activities	-414	-235
Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from short term borrowings	4,223	0
Repayment of short term borrowings and accrued commitment fees	-785	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net of issuance costs of $265	0	2,296
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs of $38	0	498
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,438	2,794
Net change in cash	-1,357	-2,528
Cash, beginning of period	4,657	3,056
Cash, end of period	3,300	528
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:	'	'
Accrued interest added to debt	40	23
Debt discount recognized on convertible debt	1,217	0
Conversion of convertible debt and accrued interest to Series C Convertible Preferred Stock	5,264	0
Exchange of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to Series C Convertible Preferred Stock	4,486	0
Exchange of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock	89	0
Cashless exercise of warrants for Common Stock	288	0
Anti-dilutive issuance of Common Stock to investors	91	0
Tender of Roenigk 2007 and 2008 Convertible Promissory Notes in exchange for Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note	$0	$1,877

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Parenthetical] (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Common Stock And Warrants Issuance Cost	$265
Common Stock Issuance Cost	$38

Organization_and_summary_of_si

Organization and summary of significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Note 1:  Organization and summary of significant accounting policies
	Nature of business
	ThermoEnergy Corporation (“the Company”) was incorporated in January 1988 for the purpose of developing and marketing advanced municipal and industrial wastewater treatment and carbon reducing power generation technologies.
	The Company’s wastewater treatment systems are based on its proprietary Controlled Atmosphere Separation Technology (“CAST”) platform.  The Company’s patented and proprietary platform technology is combined with off-the-shelf technologies (the “Technologies”) to provide systems that are inexpensive, easy to operate and reliable. The Company’s wastewater treatment systems have global applications in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in the oil and gas industry, food and beverage processing, metal finishing, pulp and paper, petrochemical, refining, microchip and circuit board manufacturing, heavy manufacturing and municipal wastewater. The CAST platform technology is owned by the Company’s subsidiary, CASTion Corporation (“CASTion”).
	The Company also owns patents on technology for the combustion of coal at high pressure using pure oxygen (oxy-combustion) for clean, coal-fired power generation while producing near zero air emissions and removing and capturing carbon dioxide in liquid form for sequestration or beneficial reuse. This technology is intended to be used to build new or to retrofit old fossil fuel power plants. This  technology is held in the Company’s subsidiary, ThermoEnergy Power Systems, LLC (“TEPS”).
	Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The 15% third-party ownership interest in TEPS is recorded as a noncontrolling interest in the unaudited consolidated financial statements.  Financial results for Unity Power Alliance (“UPA”) as a Joint Venture are accounted for under the equity method, as discussed in Note 5.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year classifications.
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
	The preparation of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed on March 26, 2013, of ThermoEnergy Corporation.
	Significant Accounting Policies
	There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  For a complete summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Managements_consideration_of_g

Management's consideration of going concern matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Managements Consideration Of Going Concern Matters [Abstract]	'
Managements Consideration of Going Concern Matters [Text Block]	'
	Note 2:  Management's consideration of going concern matters
	The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern.  However, the Company has sustained substantial losses from operations in recent years, and such losses have continued through the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013.  Furthermore, as discussed in Note 4, the Company’s contract with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (“NYCDEP”) was terminated for convenience effective November 29, 2012.
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had cash on hand of $3,300,000.  The Company has incurred net losses from operations since inception, including a net loss of $301,000 during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $121.2 million at September 30, 2013.
	In view of the matters described in the preceding paragraph, recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the accompanying balance sheet is dependent upon continued operations of the Company, which in turn is dependent upon the Company’s ability to meet its financing requirements on a continuing basis, to maintain present financing, and to succeed in its future operations. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence.
	These uncertainties raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements included in this Form 10-Q have been prepared on a going concern basis and as such do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
	Management has determined that the financial success of the Company is dependent upon the Company’s ability to obtain profitability from contracts with financially sound third parties to pursue projects involving the Technologies.  In addition, management will need to obtain substantial additional equity or debt financing that will allow the Company to operate until it becomes cash flow positive from operations.  Even if the Company successfully obtains financing, there can be no assurance that this financing will be sufficient to continue operations for an extended period of time, and there is no assurance that the Company can obtain additional funding at reasonable terms.
	As more fully described in Notes 6, 7 and 8, on April 5, 2013, the Company issued shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for the entire principal and accrued interest amounts of the Company’s December 2011 Bridge Notes and the Company’s November 2012 Bridge Notes.  Additionally, as more fully described in Note 6, the Company received proceeds totaling $4 million from the issuance of Bridge Notes to certain of its investors in August 2013.

Revision_of_Prior_Period_Finan

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Prior Period Adjustment [Abstract]	'
Restatement of Prior Period Financial Statements [Text Block]	'
	Note 3:  Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
	During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, management determined that the fair value of the anti-dilution provision embedded in the Company’s series C convertible preferred stock should have been valued as a derivative instrument.  The Company has recorded $607,000 for the fair value at inception of the derivative instrument as derivative liabilities – long term and decreased additional paid-in capital for a corresponding amount to correct the presentation on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013.  Additionally, the decrease in the fair value of the derivative instrument from inception through September 30, 2013 of $279,000, of which $44,000 is related to the decrease in fair value of the derivative instrument from inception through June, 30, 2013, has been recorded as a decrease to derivative liabilities – long term and a corresponding amount recorded in change in fair value of derivative liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.  The error corrections are contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company will revise its consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, to reflect this correction in all future filings that contain such consolidated financial statements. The adjustment increases the previously reported derivative liabilities – long term on the consolidated balance sheet by $607,000 and change in fair value of derivative liabilities on the consolidated statement of operations by $44,000 and decreases the previously reported additional paid in capital on the consolidated balance sheet by $563,000 as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. The impact of this error was limited to the quarter ended June 30, 2013.
	In evaluating whether the Company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements were materially misstated, the Company considered the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 250, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections,” ASC Topic 250-10-S99-1, “Assessing Materiality,” and ASC Topic 250-10-S99-2, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” The error did not have a material impact on the Company’s net income or cash flows for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013, and management does not consider this correction to be qualitatively material to the Company’s prior period consolidated financial statements.

NYCDEP_Contract

NYCDEP Contract	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 4: NYCDEP Contract
	On August 22, 2012, the NYCDEP issued a stop work order to the Company relative to its contract to install an Ammonia Removal Process (“ARP”) system at the NYCDEP’s wastewater treatment facility in the 26th Ward.  The NYCDEP terminated the contract for convenience, effective November 29, 2012.
	Upon notification of the contract termination, the Company cancelled all orders from its major vendors.  The Company ceased recognition of revenues as of November 29, 2012 and recorded all incremental costs as period costs on its consolidated statement of operations.
	The Company received all amounts billed to the NYCDEP related to this contract, and the Company delivered all equipment, including all material from third party vendors, to the NYCDEP during the first quarter of 2013.  In June 2013, the Company received notice from the NYCDEP that the contract had been closed.  Accordingly, the Company recorded a gain on contract termination of approximately $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2013, which represents the amount the Company billed in accordance with the contract in excess of revenues recognized.
	Because of this contract termination, the Company's revenues, expenses, and income will be adversely affected in future periods, as this contract represented approximately 73% of the Company's revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Joint_Ventures

Joint Ventures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Joint Venture [Abstract]	'
Joint Venture [Text Block]	'
	Note 5:  Joint Ventures
	Babcock-Thermo Clean Combustion LLC
	On February 25, 2009, the Company’s majority-owned subsidiary, TEPS, and Babcock Power Development, LLC (“BPD”), a subsidiary of Babcock Power, Inc., entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) establishing Babcock-Thermo Carbon Capture LLC, a Delaware limited liability company now known as Babcock-Thermo Clean Combustion LLC (the “Joint Venture”) for the purpose of developing and commercializing its pressurized oxy-combustion technology.
	On March 2, 2012, TEPS entered into a Dissolution Agreement with BPD to terminate the Limited Liability Company Agreement and dissolve the Joint Venture, and the Joint Venture was dissolved on April 30, 2013.
	Unity Power Alliance LLC
	On March 8, 2012, the Company announced the formation of Unity Power Alliance LLC (“UPA”).  UPA was formed with the intention to work with partners and stakeholders to develop and commercialize its pressurized oxycombustion technology.  On July 16, 2012, Itea S.p.A. (“Itea”), an engineering and technology company headquartered in Italy, acquired a 50% ownership interest in UPA.
	In September 2012, UPA was awarded a $1 million Phase 1 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) to help fund a project on a cost-sharing basis under a special DOE program to advance technologies for efficient, clean coal power and carbon capture.  As part of UPA's project, in October 2012, the Company received a $900,000 contract from UPA to build a bench-scale “flameless” combustion reactor under the grant.  UPA and its subcontractors received contract definitization during the first quarter of 2013 and began to receive funding.  As of September 30, 2013, UPA has received funding totaling $598,000 related to this grant.  The Company has recorded revenues totaling $295,000 and $842,000 on a time and materials basis related to this contract in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013.
	In accordance with ASC 810, “Consolidation,” the Company determined that it held a variable interest in UPA and that UPA was a variable-interest entity.  However, the Company has concluded that it is not required to consolidate the financial statements of UPA as of and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.  The Company reviewed the most significant activities of UPA and determined that because the Company shares the power to direct the activities of UPA equally with Itea, it is not the primary beneficiary of UPA.  Accordingly, the financial results of UPA are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The carrying value of the Company’s investment in the Joint Venture is $0 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, as the Company’s share of losses incurred by UPA exceeds the Company’s investments.

Short_term_borrowings

Short term borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Short-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	Note 6:  Short term borrowings
	Short term borrowings consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Project Financing Line of Credit	$	—	$	491
	November 2012 Bridge Notes, 8%, due April 15, 2013		—		3,700
	August 2013 Bridge Notes, 12%, due February 1, 2014		4,000		—
		$	4,000	$	4,191
	Project Financing Line of Credit
	On October 4, 2012, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with C13 Thermo LLC (the “Lender”), a related party whose owners are related to an officer of the Company.  Under this Loan Agreement, the Lender established a credit facility allowing the Company to borrow up to $700,000 (the “Credit Facility”) to finance the fabrication and testing of an Ammonia Reduction Process system utilizing the Company’s proprietary technology (the “Project”).  The Company issued to the Lender a promissory note in the principal amount of $700,000 (the “Note”).
	Amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility did not bear interest (except in the case of an event of default, in which case all amounts borrowed, together with all fees, expenses and other amounts due, shall bear interest at the default rate of 8% per annum). Upon maturity of the Note, the Company was charged a commitment fee equal to 10% of the aggregate principal amount borrowed under the Credit Facility. All amounts due under the Note, together with all commitment fees incurred under the Loan Agreement, were originally due and payable on the earlier of (i) March 4, 2013 or (ii) the date on which the Company first draws against an irrevocable documentary letter of credit that has been issued for the Company’s benefit in connection with the Project. The Credit Facility was amended in March 2013 to extend the expiration date to the earlier of (i) April 5, 2013 or (ii) one business day following the date the Company first drew against the irrevocable documentary letter of credit.  The Company could repay the Note in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty.  The Credit Facility was secured by all of the Company’s assets.
	On April 5, 2013 the Company repaid in full all outstanding principal and accrued commitment fees totaling $785,000 related to this Credit Facility.
	November 2012 Bridge Note Financing
	On November 30, 2012 the Company entered into Bridge Loan Agreements with six of its principal investors pursuant to which the investors agreed to make bridge loans to the Company of $3.7 million in exchange for 8% Promissory Notes (the “November 2012 Bridge Notes”).  The November 2012 Bridge Notes bore interest at the rate of 8% per year and were due and payable on April 15, 2013.
	The November 2012 Bridge Notes contained other conventional terms, including representations and warranties regarding the Company’s business and assets and its authority to enter into such agreements, and provisions for acceleration of the Company’s obligations upon the occurrence of certain specified events of default.
	On April 5, 2013 the investors converted the outstanding principal of the November 2012 Bridge Notes, plus accrued interest, into 5,005,250 shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants for the purchase of 50,052,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
	August 2013 Bridge Note Financing
	On August 22, 2013 the Company entered into Bridge Loan Agreements with four of its principal investors pursuant to which the investors agreed to make bridge loans to the Company of $4 million in exchange for 12% Promissory Notes (the “August 2013 Bridge Notes”).  The August 2013 Bridge Notes bear interest at the rate of 12% per year and are due and payable on February 1, 2014.  The August 2013 Bridge Notes are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.
	The August 2013 Bridge Notes contain other conventional terms, including representations and warranties regarding the Company’s business and assets and its authority to enter into such agreements, and provisions for acceleration of the Company’s obligations upon the occurrence of certain specified events of default.

Convertible_debt

Convertible debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 7:  Convertible debt
	Unsecured convertible debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	December 2011 Convertible Promissory Notes, 12.5%, due on demand on or	$	—	$	1,250
	after January 31, 2013
	Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note, 8%, due March 31, 2014, less		2,061		1,838
	discount of $44 at September 30, 2013 and $106 at December 31, 2012
			2,061		3,088
	Less: Current portion		-2,061		-1,250
		$	—	$	1,838
	December 2011 Convertible Promissory Notes
	On December 2, 2011 the Company entered into Bridge Loan Agreements with four of its principal investors pursuant to which the investors agreed to make bridge loans to the Company of $1.25 million in exchange for 12.5% Promissory Notes (the “December 2011 Bridge Notes”).  The December 2011 Bridge Notes bore interest at the rate of 12.5% per year and were due and payable on December 31, 2012.  The entire unpaid principal amount, together with all interest then accrued and unpaid under each December 2011 Bridge Note, was convertible into shares of a future series of Preferred Stock.
	The December 2011 Bridge Notes contained other conventional provisions, including the acceleration of repayment obligations upon the occurrence of certain specified Events of Default.
	On November 30, 2012, in conjunction with the issuance of the November 2012 Bridge Notes (see Note 6), the investors who participated in the December 2011 Bridge Note financing agreed to extend the maturity date such that the December 2011 Bridge Notes were due on demand on or after January 31, 2013.  The Company accounted for this amendment as a debt modification.
	On April 5, 2013 the investors converted the outstanding principal of the December 2011 Bridge Notes, plus accrued interest, into 1,921,303 shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants for the purchase of 19,213,030 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
	Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note
	On June 20, 2012, the Company issued a Convertible Promissory Note dated April 1, 2012 (the “Note”) in the principal amount of $1,877,217 to the Roenigk Family Trust in exchange for a 5% Convertible Promissory Note issued on March 21, 2007 and due March 21, 2013 and a 5% Convertible Promissory Note issued on March 7, 2008 and due March 7, 2013 (the “Old Notes”).  The Note bears interest at the rate of 5% per annum from April 1, 2012 through May 31, 2012, then bears interest at the rate of 8% per annum until the maturity date, March 31, 2014.  The principal amount and accrued interest on the Note is convertible into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per share at any time at the election of the holder.  Interest on the Note is payable semi-annually.  The Company may, at its discretion, defer any scheduled interest payment until the maturity date of the Note upon payment of a $5,000 deferral fee.  The Company recorded $161,000 of accrued interest to the principal balance of the Note during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 8:  Equity
	On March 20, 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation for the following purposes:
		·	To increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to 800,000,000 and to increase the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock to 50,000,000;
		·	To reduce the number of shares of Preferred Stock designated as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” from 12,000,000 to 1,000,000 and to re-designate the remaining 11,000,000 shares heretofore designated as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” as “Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock”, with the shares in each sub-series having identical voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions except that the shares of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock shall have priority in liquidation; and
		·	To designate 15,000,000 shares of the previously authorized but undesignated shares of Preferred Stock as “Series C Convertible Preferred Stock”.
	Shares of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible, at any time at the discretion of the holder, into ten shares of the Company’s Common Stock.  Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock is identical to the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in every respect except that holders of the Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock shall receive a liquidation preference equal to the Stated Value of their shares ($2.40 per share) plus all declared and unpaid dividends with respect thereto prior to any distribution to the holders of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
	Shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible, at any time at the discretion of the holder, into ten shares of the Company’s Common Stock, subject to conventional weighted-average anti-dilution adjustment in the event the Company issues or is deemed to have issued shares of Common Stock at a price less than $0.076 per share. The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will be redeemable, at a price equal to $0.76 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, at the election of the holders of 66-⅔% of the then-outstanding shares, in three equal annual installments on or after December 31, 2017.
	Because the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock has a redemption feature, this class of preferred stock is recorded at its issuance date fair value and is classified as mezzanine equity on the Company’s Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2013.
	The Company’s Board of Directors consists of seven members, four of whom are elected by holders of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, and three who are elected by the holders of the Company’s Common Stock.
	The amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation became effective on April 5, 2013.
	Common Stock
	In 2011, the Company requested certain holders of Common Stock Purchase Warrants to exercise such warrants or to surrender such warrants in exchange for shares of Common Stock.  On April 5, 2013, the Company issued an aggregate of 6,031,577 shares of Common Stock as consideration for the surrender of Warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 39,205,234 shares.
	Also, on April 5, 2013, the Company converted its December 2011 Bridge Notes and November 2012 Bridge Notes into shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.  Because the effective issuance price of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock was less than $0.10 per equivalent share of Common Stock, the Company issued to investors who purchased shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Warrants at closings on July 11, 2012, August 9, 2012 and October 9, 2012 (the “PIPE”), for no additional consideration, a sufficient number of additional shares of Common Stock so that the effective price per share of Common Stock paid by the PIPE Investors equals the effective issuance price of the shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis ($0.076 per share).   Accordingly, on April 5, 2013, the Company issued a total of 9,274,364 shares of Common Stock to the PIPE Investors.
	At September 30, 2013, approximately 425 million shares of Common Stock were reserved for future issuance under convertible debt and warrant agreements, stock option arrangements and other commitments.
	Preferred Stock
	As detailed in Notes 6 and 7, on April 5, 2013, holders of the Company’s December 2011 Bridge Notes and the Company’s November 2012 Bridge Notes exchanged such notes with an aggregate principal amount of $4,950,000 plus accrued interest totaling $314,177 for a total of 6,926,553 shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants for the purchase of a total of 69,265,530 shares of Common Stock.
	The effective price of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock was $0.76 per share (or $0.076 per equivalent share of Common Stock).  The Warrants entitle the holders to purchase, at any time on or before April 5, 2018, shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.114 per share. The Warrants contain other conventional terms, including provisions for adjustment in the exercise price and/or the securities issuable upon exercise in the event of certain specified extraordinary corporate events, such as stock splits, combinations, and stock dividends.
	As additional consideration to the investors for their participation in the Bridge Note issuances mentioned above, for each $100 of principal and interest converted into Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants, each Investor exchanged 41.67 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock held for 131.58 additional shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the number of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock that would be purchased for $100 at a purchase price of $0.76 per share). Accordingly, the Company issued an aggregate of 6,926,553 additional shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for an aggregate of 2,193,414 previously-outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The additional shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock were issued without warrant coverage. The shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock surrendered were cancelled and are no longer outstanding.
	Additionally, as an inducement to effect the transactions on April 5, 2013 as detailed above, the Company agreed to allow such holders to exchange shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock for an equal number of shares of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock. Accordingly, on April 5, 2013 the Company issued an aggregate of 8,839,500 shares of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for an equal number of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
	Stock Options
	On March 20, 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved amendments to the 2008 Incentive Stock Plan (“the 2008 Plan”) to increase the number of shares available for grant to 40,000,000 and to increase the number of shares with respect to which automatic stock options are granted to non-employee Directors to 100,000.
	During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, the Board of Directors awarded employees and an advisor to the Board of Directors a total of 14,450,000 stock options under the 2008 Plan.  The options are exercisable at $0.0468 - $0.089 per share for a ten year period.  The exercise price was equal to or greater than the market price on the respective grant dates.  Options granted to non-employee directors vest on the date of the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; options granted to employees vest ratably over a four-year period.
	The following table presents option expense included in expenses in the Company’s unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			2013			2012
	Cost of revenue		$	—		$	6
	General and administrative			200			580
	Engineering, research and development			34			70
	Sales and marketing			12			63
	Option expense before tax			246			719
	Benefit for income tax			—			—
	Net option expense		$	246		$	719
	The fair value of options granted during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
			2013				2012
	Risk-free interest rate			0.92% - 1.07	%			0.83% - 2.23	%
	Expected option life (years)			6.25				6.25 – 10.0
	Expected volatility			90% - 91	%			91% - 92	%
	Expected dividend rate			0	%			0	%
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods over the expected life of the option.  The expected option life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the Company’s historical exercise patterns.  Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected life of the option granted.
	Option expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was calculated using an expected annual forfeiture rate of 5%.
	A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 follows:
			2013						2012
						Wtd. Avg.					Wtd. Avg.
						Exercise					Exercise
			Number of			Price per			Number of		Price per
			Shares			Share			Shares		Share
	Outstanding, beginning of year			24,896,678		$	0.32			19,674,102	$	0.38
	Granted			14,450,000		$	0.09			7,060,000	$	0.16
	Canceled			-7,408,601		$	0.28			-800,000	$	0.3
	Outstanding, end of period			31,938,077		$	0.22			25,934,102	$	0.32
	Exercisable, end of period			16,372,452		$	0.35			13,733,112	$	0.41
	The weighted average fair value of options granted was approximately $0.07 and $0.11 per share for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The weighted average fair value of options vested was approximately $389,000 and $942,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Exercise prices for options outstanding as of September 30, 2013 ranged from $0.0468 to $1.50.  The weighted average remaining contractual life of those options was approximately 7.9 years at September 30, 2013.  The weighted average remaining contractual life of options vested and exercisable was approximately 6.7 years at September 30, 2013.
	At September 30, 2013, there was approximately $832,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s stock option plans.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.  The Company recognizes stock-based compensation on the graded-vesting method.
	Warrants
	At September 30, 2013, there were outstanding warrants for the purchase of 136,881,302 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at prices ranging from $0.10 per share to $0.55 per share (weighted average exercise price was $0.15 per share).  The expiration dates of these warrants are as follows:
	Year		Number of
			Warrants
	2014			781,103
	2015			296,293
	2016			20,625,815
	2017			44,570,061
	After 2017			70,608,030
				136,881,302

Derivative_Liabilities

Derivative Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Liability [Abstract]	'
Derivative Liabilities [Text Block]	'
	Note 9:  Derivative Liabilities
	The Company has periodically issued Common Stock and Common Stock purchase warrants with anti-dilution provisions as additional consideration with certain debt instruments.  Additionally, certain debt instruments have been convertible into shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, which are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock and have anti-dilution provisions and liquidation preferences.  Because these instruments contain provisions that are not indexed to the Company’s stock, the Company is required to record these as derivative instruments.
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Description	Balance as of		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		September 30,		in Active		Other		Unobservable
		2013		Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical		Inputs		(Level 3)
				Assets		(Level 2)
				(Level 1)
	Derivative liabilities – current portion	$	141	$	-	$	-	$	141
	Derivative liabilities – long-term portion		328		-		-		328
	Total	$	469	$	-	$	-	$	469
	The Monte Carlo simulation lattice model was used to determine the fair values at September 30, 2013. The significant assumptions were: exercise prices between $0.10 and $0.114; the Company’s stock price on September 30, 2013 of $0.04; expected volatility of 60%; risk free interest rate between 0.02% and 1.20%; a remaining contract term between four months and 54 months; and probability of financing options and effects on the Company’s capitalization.
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 are as follows: (in thousands)
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Description		Balance as of	Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			December 31,	in Active		Other		Unobservable
			2012	Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical		Inputs		(Level 3)
				Assets		(Level 2)
				(Level 1)
	Derivative liabilities – current portion	$	20	$	-	$	-	$	20
	Derivative liabilities – long-term portion		2,214		-		-		2,214
	Total	$	2,234	$	-	$	-	$	2,234
	The Monte Carlo simulation lattice model was used to determine the fair values at December 31, 2012. The significant assumptions were: exercise prices between $0.10 and $0.36; the Company’s stock price on December 31, 2012 of $0.09; expected volatility of 55% - 75%; risk free interest rate between 0.16% and 0.72%; and a remaining contract term between five months and 55 months.
	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities classified as Level 3 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013		2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	2,234	$	807
	Issuance of derivative instruments		607		2,734
	Exercise of derivative instruments		-298		—
	Change in fair value		-2,074		-1,100
	Balance at end of period	$	469	$	2,441

Commitments_and_contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 10:  Commitments and contingencies
	The Company is involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business.  Judgments could be rendered or settlements entered that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period. The Company routinely assesses all of its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where it assesses the likelihood of loss as probable.
	On July 16, 2012, Andrew T. Melton, the Company’s former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“Melton”), filed a Complaint in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas alleging, among other things, wrongful termination of employment.  On June 19, 2013, the lawsuit was dismissed upon motion of the plaintiff.

Organization_and_summary_of_si1

Organization and summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Principles Of Consolidation and Basis Of Presentation [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The 15% third-party ownership interest in TEPS is recorded as a noncontrolling interest in the unaudited consolidated financial statements.  Financial results for Unity Power Alliance (“UPA”) as a Joint Venture are accounted for under the equity method, as discussed in Note 5.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year classifications.
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
	The preparation of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed on March 26, 2013, of ThermoEnergy Corporation.
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  For a complete summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Short_term_borrowings_Tables

Short term borrowings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Short term borrowings consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Project Financing Line of Credit	$	—	$	491
	November 2012 Bridge Notes, 8%, due April 15, 2013		—		3,700
	August 2013 Bridge Notes, 12%, due February 1, 2014		4,000		—
		$	4,000	$	4,191

Convertible_debt_Tables

Convertible debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Debt Conversions [Table Text Block]	'
	Unsecured convertible debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	December 2011 Convertible Promissory Notes, 12.5%, due on demand on or	$	—	$	1,250
	after January 31, 2013
	Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note, 8%, due March 31, 2014, less		2,061		1,838
	discount of $44 at September 30, 2013 and $106 at December 31, 2012
			2,061		3,088
	Less: Current portion		-2,061		-1,250
		$	—	$	1,838

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Option Expenses [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents option expense included in expenses in the Company’s unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		2013			2012
	Cost of revenue	$	—		$	6
	General and administrative		200			580
	Engineering, research and development		34			70
	Sales and marketing		12			63
	Option expense before tax		246			719
	Benefit for income tax		—			—
	Net option expense	$	246		$	719
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of options granted during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
		2013				2012
	Risk-free interest rate		0.92% - 1.07	%			0.83% - 2.23	%
	Expected option life (years)		6.25				6.25 – 10.0
	Expected volatility		90% - 91	%			91% - 92	%
	Expected dividend rate		0	%			0	%
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 follows:
		2013						2012
					Wtd. Avg.					Wtd. Avg.
					Exercise					Exercise
		Number of			Price per			Number of		Price per
		Shares			Share			Shares		Share
	Outstanding, beginning of year		24,896,678		$	0.32			19,674,102	$	0.38
	Granted		14,450,000		$	0.09			7,060,000	$	0.16
	Canceled		-7,408,601		$	0.28			-800,000	$	0.3
	Outstanding, end of period		31,938,077		$	0.22			25,934,102	$	0.32
	Exercisable, end of period		16,372,452		$	0.35			13,733,112	$	0.41
Tabular Disclosure Related To Warrants Expiration Date [Table Text Block]	'
	At September 30, 2013, there were outstanding warrants for the purchase of 136,881,302 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at prices ranging from $0.10 per share to $0.55 per share (weighted average exercise price was $0.15 per share).  The expiration dates of these warrants are as follows:
	Year	Number of
		Warrants
	2014		781,103
	2015		296,293
	2016		20,625,815
	2017		44,570,061
	After 2017		70,608,030
			136,881,302

Derivative_Liabilities_Tables

Derivative Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Liability [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Description	Balance as of		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		September 30,		in Active		Other		Unobservable
		2013		Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical		Inputs		(Level 3)
				Assets		(Level 2)
				(Level 1)
	Derivative liabilities – current portion	$	141	$	-	$	-	$	141
	Derivative liabilities – long-term portion		328		-		-		328
	Total	$	469	$	-	$	-	$	469
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 are as follows: (in thousands)
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Description		Balance as of	Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			December 31,	in Active		Other		Unobservable
			2012	Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical		Inputs		(Level 3)
				Assets		(Level 2)
				(Level 1)
	Derivative liabilities – current portion	$	20	$	-	$	-	$	20
	Derivative liabilities – long-term portion		2,214		-		-		2,214
	Total	$	2,234	$	-	$	-	$	2,234
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities classified as Level 3 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013		2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	2,234	$	807
	Issuance of derivative instruments		607		2,734
	Exercise of derivative instruments		-298		—
	Change in fair value		-2,074		-1,100
	Balance at end of period	$	469	$	2,441

Organization_and_summary_of_si2

Organization and summary of significant accounting policies (Details Textual)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Description of Activities of Parent Company	'developing and marketing advanced municipal and industrial wastewater treatment and carbon reducing power generation technologies
Thermoenergy Power Systems, LLC [Member]	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	15.00%

Managements_consideration_of_g1

Management's consideration of going concern matters (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash and Cash Equivalents, At Carrying Value	$3,300	$528	$3,300	$528	$4,657	$3,056
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total	-121,193	'	-121,193	'	-120,892	'
Proceeds from Short-term Debt, Total	'	'	4,223	0	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	($655)	($1,868)	($301)	($5,943)	'	'

Revision_of_Prior_Period_Finan1

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements (Details Textual) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	'	$328,000	$2,214,000
Additional Paid in Capital, Total	'	108,415,000	110,062,000
Increase (Decrease) in Derivative Liabilities	-44,000	-279,000	'
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	'	'	'
Additional Paid in Capital, Total	563,000	'	'
Restatement Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	'	$607,000	'

NYCDEP_Contract_Details_Textua

NYCDEP Contract (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
					Nycdep [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	$0	$0	$4,878	$0	'
Percentage Of Revenues Effect On Contracts Termination	'	'	'	'	73.00%

Joint_Ventures_Details_Textual

Joint Ventures (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other long term liabilities	'	$29,000	$29,000	$33,000
UPA [Member]	'	'	'	'
Interest In Joint Venture	50.00%	'	'	'
Revenue from Grants	'	'	598,000	1,000,000
Contracts Received	'	295,000	842,000	900,000
Other long term liabilities	'	$0	$0	$0

Short_term_borrowings_Details

Short term borrowings (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short term borrowings	$4,000	$4,191
Project Financing Line Of Credit [Member]	'	'
Short term borrowings	0	491
November 2012 Bridge Notes [Member]	'	'
Short term borrowings	0	3,700
August 2013 Bridge Notes [Member]	'	'
Short term borrowings	$4,000	$0

Short_term_borrowings_Details_

Short term borrowings (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Repayment Of Short Term Borrowings And Accrued commitment fees	$785,000	$0
Project Financing Line Of Credit [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	700,000	'
Line Of Credit Facility, Interest Rate on Default	8.00%	'
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Description	'Upon maturity of the Note, the Company was charged a commitment fee equal to 10% of the aggregate principal amount borrowed under the Credit Facility.	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	700,000	'
Repayment Of Short Term Borrowings And Accrued commitment fees	785,000	'
November 2012 Bridge Notes [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	3,700,000	'
Line Of Credit Facility, Interest Rate on Default	8.00%	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Apr-13	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued	5,005,250	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Warrants or Options Issued	50,052,500	'
August 2013 Bridge Notes [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$4,000,000	'
Line Of Credit Facility, Interest Rate on Default	12.00%	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	1-Feb-14	'

Convertible_debt_Details

Convertible debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Convertible Debt	$2,061	$3,088	'
Less: Current portion	-2,061	-1,250	'
Convertible debt, net	0	1,838	'
December 2011 Convertible Promissory Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Convertible Debt	0	1,250	1,250
Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note [Member]	'	'	'
Convertible Debt	$2,061	$1,838	'

Convertible_debt_Details_Textu

Convertible debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			December 2011 Convertible Promissory Notes [Member]	December 2011 Convertible Promissory Notes [Member]	December 2011 Convertible Promissory Notes [Member]	Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note [Member]	Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note [Member]	Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Note [Member]	December 2011 Bridge Note [Member]	Roenigk 2012 Convertible Promissory Old Note [Member]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	'	'	'	2-Dec-11	'	'	20-Jun-12	'	'	7-Mar-08
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	12.50%	12.50%	'	8.00%	5.00%	'	'	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	'	'	'	'	'	$44,000	$106,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	'	'	31-Jan-13	31-Dec-12	'	31-Mar-14	21-Mar-13	'	'	7-Mar-13
Convertible Debt	2,061,000	3,088,000	0	1,250,000	1,250,000	2,061,000	1,838,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms	'	'	'	'	'	'	'The Note bears interest at the rate of 5% per annum from April 1, 2012 through May 31, 2012, then bears interest at the rate of 8% per annum until the maturity date, March 31, 2014.	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.50	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'Interest on the Note is payable semi-annually.	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Deferral Fees	'	'	'	'	'	5,000	'	'	'	'
Additional Accrued Interest	'	'	'	'	'	161,000	'	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,921,303	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Warrants or Options Issued	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	19,213,030	'
Debt Instrument, Annual Principal Payment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,877,217	'	'

Equity_Details

Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cost of revenue	$870	$2,031	$2,948	$5,238
General and administrative	697	1,035	2,422	3,951
Engineering, research and development	69	160	437	363
Sales and marketing	435	598	1,261	2,188
Net option expense	'	'	246	719
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenue	'	'	0	6
General and administrative	'	'	200	580
Engineering, research and development	'	'	34	70
Sales and marketing	'	'	12	63
Option expense before tax	'	'	246	719
Benefit for income tax	'	'	0	0
Net option expense	'	'	$246	$719

Equity_Details_1

Equity (Details 1) (Black Scholes Option Pricing Model [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Expected option life (years)	'6 years 3 months	'
Expected dividend rate	0.00%	0.00%
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	0.92%	0.83%
Expected option life (years)	'	'6 years 3 months
Expected volatility	90.00%	91.00%
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.07%	2.23%
Expected option life (years)	'	'10 years
Expected volatility	91.00%	92.00%

Equity_Details_2

Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Number of Shares, Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	24,896,678	19,674,102
Number of Shares, Granted (in shares)	14,450,000	7,060,000
Number of Shares, Canceled (in shares)	-7,408,601	-800,000
Number of Shares, Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	31,938,077	25,934,102
Number of shares, Exercisable, end of perod (in shares)	16,372,452	13,733,112
Weighted Average Price Per Share, Outstanding, beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.38
Weighted Average Price Per Share, Granted (in dollars per share)	$0.09	$0.16
Weighted Average Price Per Share, Canceled (in dollars per share)	$0.28	$0.30
Weighted Average Price Per Share, Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$0.22	$0.32
Weighted Average Price Per Share, exercisable, end of period (in dollars per share)	$0.35	$0.41

Equity_Details_3

Equity (Details 3)	Sep. 30, 2013
Number of Warrants	136,881,302
Year 2014 [Member]	'
Number of Warrants	781,103
Year 2015 [Member]	'
Number of Warrants	296,293
Year 2016 [Member]	'
Number of Warrants	20,625,815
Year 2017 [Member]	'
Number of Warrants	44,570,061
After Year 2017 [Member]	'
Number of Warrants	70,608,030

Equity_Details_Textual

Equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	425,000,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0.07	$0.11	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$389,000	$942,000	'
Expected forfeiture rate	5.00%	5.00%	'
Common stock, shares authorized	800,000,000	'	425,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	'	30,000,000
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Gross	14,450,000	7,060,000	'
Weighted Average Price Per Share, exercisable, end of period	$0.35	$0.41	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	832,000	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'	'
Warrants Surrendered During Period	39,205,234	'	'
Warrants To Purchase Common Stock	69,265,530	'	'
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price	$0.11	'	'
Plan 2008 Amendment [Member]	'	'	'
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	40,000,000	'	'
Plan 2008 Amendment [Member] | Non Employee Director [Member]	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Gross	100,000	'	'
Bridge Notes December 2011 and Bridge Notes November 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount	4,950,000	'	'
Interest Payable	$314,177	'	'
Employee and Advisor and Board Of Director [Member]	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Gross	14,450,000	'	'
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	208,334	'	208,334
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$1.20	'	1.2
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	'	12,000,000
Convertible Preferred Stock Shares Exchanged	41.67	'	'
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion	2,193,414	'	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$2.40	'	2.4
Series B1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	11,000,000	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	8,839,500	'	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$2.40	'	'
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	'	'
Effective Price Of Convertible Preferred Stock Per Share	$0.08	'	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued	6,926,553	'	'
Convertible Preferred Shares Purchase Description	'the number of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock that would be purchased for $100 at a purchase price of $0.76 per share	'	'
Convertible Preferred Stock Shares Exchanged	131.58	'	'
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion	6,926,553	'	'
Holders Of Outstanding Shares Redeemable Percentage	66.70%	'	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$1.52	'	'
Warrant [Member]	'	'	'
Number Of Common Stock To Purchase Upon Warrants Acquired	136,881,302	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	0.15	'	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Equivalent Price Of Common Stock Price Per Share	$0.08	'	'
Stock Issued During Period Shares Others	6,031,577	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'6 years 8 months 12 days	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	0.1	'	'
Weighted Average Price Per Share, exercisable, end of period	$0.05	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Employee and Advisor and Board Of Director [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Price Per Share, exercisable, end of period	$0.05	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'7 years 10 months 24 days	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	0.55	'	'
Weighted Average Price Per Share, exercisable, end of period	$0.09	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Employee and Advisor and Board Of Director [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Price Per Share, exercisable, end of period	$1.50	'	'
Pipe Investors [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Equivalent Price Of Common Stock Price Per Share	$0.08	'	'
Common Stock Effective Issue Price	$0.10	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	9,274,364	'	'

Derivative_Liabilities_Details

Derivative Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative liabilities - current portion	$141	$20
Derivative liabilities - long-term portion	328	2,214
Total	469	2,234
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Derivative liabilities - current portion	0	0
Derivative liabilities - long-term portion	0	0
Total	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Derivative liabilities - current portion	0	0
Derivative liabilities - long-term portion	0	0
Total	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Derivative liabilities - current portion	141	20
Derivative liabilities - long-term portion	328	2,214
Total	$469	$2,234

Derivative_Liabilities_Details1

Derivative Liabilities (Details 1) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$2,234	$807
Issuance of derivative instruments	607	2,734
Exercise of derivative instruments	-298	0
Change in fair value	-2,074	-1,100
Balance at end of period	$469	$2,441

Derivative_Liabilities_Details2

Derivative Liabilities (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share Price	$0.04	$0.09
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	60.00%	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price	$0.10	$0.10
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	'	55.00%
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	0.02%	0.16%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'4 months	'5 months
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price	$0.11	$0.36
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	'	75.00%
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.20%	0.72%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'54 months	'55 months