CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/888,869 filed on August 19, 2019 and entitled “LIGHTNING PROTECTION FOR A SALTWATER STORAGE BATTERY”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Saltwater removed from producing wells may desirably be injected into disposal wells. Such saltwater may be loaded into tank trucks, trucked to a saltwater disposal well, off-loaded into a saltwater storage battery (e.g., one or more tanks), and then pumped out of the storage battery to be injected into a disposal well. The saltwater in the storage battery typically is retained initially in a settling tank to promote separation of saltwater, oil, and gas. The separated oil may be recovered and brought to market. The separated saltwater may be pumped out of the tank and into the ground. The separated gas may be vented to the atmosphere or compressed and stored for recovery and brought to market.

SUMMARY

[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and methods described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the systems and/or methods nor delineate the scope of the systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0004] In some embodiments, a lightning protection system can include a storage battery comprising at least one tank, a pressure control valve coupled to the storage battery, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the storage battery, and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuum pump that executes a lightning protection application that modulates the vacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.

[0005] In some embodiments, a lightning protection system controller can include a processor, a non-transitory memory, and a lightning protection application stored in the non-transitory memory. The lightning protection application, when executed by the processor, configures the processor to receives a lightning activity signal from a lightning activity sensing system, in response to the lightning activity signal, turns on a vacuum pump, receives a pressure signal from a pressure sensor associated with a storage battery, and modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal to draw a vacuum on a storage battery.

[0006] In some embodiments, a method of protecting a saltwater disposal well storage battery can include receiving a lightning activity signal from a lightning activity sensing system, based on the lightning activity signal, turning on a vacuum pump that is fluidly coupled to a saltwater disposal well storage battery, receiving a pressure signal from a pressure sensor associated with the saltwater disposal well storage battery, modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal to maintain a predefined pressure associated with the saltwater disposal well storage battery, and preventing an escape of gases from the saltwater disposal well storage battery in response to maintaining the predefined pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. [0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary saltwater storage battery according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of an exemplary saltwater storage battery according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a protection system coupled to an exemplary saltwater storage battery according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of details of a protection system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

[0014] The storage battery may have one or more pressure control valves that open to exhaust gas from inside the storage tanks composing the storage battery to the atmosphere when excess pressure builds (for example, as additional fluid is introduced into a storage tank when off-loading a tank truck) or to intake air from the atmosphere to relieve vacuum on a storage tank when pumping off fluids. A problem can result when hydrocarbon gas is exhausted to the atmosphere during a lightning storm. Under this circumstance, a spark may ignite the hydrocarbon gas as it exhausts through the pressure control valve, the flame may propagate through the pressure control valve into the interior of the storage tank, and the hydrocarbon gas inside the storage tank may ignite causing the storage tank to rupture and/or explode. While these storage batteries at saltwater disposal wells may be remote from human settlements, this kind of incident causes expensive damage, interferes with disposal of saltwater waste, and potentially causes release of hazardous materials and/or pollution. A need exists, therefore, for reducing risk of lightning triggered destruction of saltwater storage batteries.

[0015] The present disclosure teaches a system of activating a vacuum pump, and drawing a vacuum on the saltwater storage battery, which can occur in some embodiments in response to receiving an indication of and/or sensing a potential electrostatic discharge (e.g., lightning storm). As used herein, the term “vacuum” refers to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. This below atmospheric pressure in the saltwater storage battery prevents gas from escaping from the saltwater storage battery, thereby significantly reducing the risk that an electrostatic discharge (e.g., lightning) may ignite hydrocarbon laden gas proximate to the saltwater storage battery. While discussion herein refers to lightning, it is noted that electrostatic discharge sparks can be created in other circumstances that do not involve lightning. It is further noted that flowing saltwater into fiberglass storage tanks is often associated with building up a static charge in the vicinity of the saltwater storage battery.

[0016] In some embodiments, a series of saltwater storage tanks composing a storage battery are fluidly coupled to a common vent system, for example via pipes or conduits connected to a top of each of the tanks. The interconnection of the tanks via these pipes results in equalization of pressure among the tanks while also providing a fluid flow path between tanks. Pressure control valves may be installed at two or more points along the pipes, thereby providing pressure relief redundancy. In some embodiments, the pressure control valves can be associated with the tanks themselves, and the conduits can provide the fluid pathway to a gas space in the tanks that can then rely on the pressure control valves associated with the tanks (e.g., as opposed to pressure control valves on the conduit itself). Since the pressure can be equalized among the tanks and in the pipes, any single pressure control valve serves the purpose of venting excess internal pressure to the atmosphere and intaking air from the atmosphere in the instance of an excessive internal vacuum. In current practice, storage tanks composing a saltwater storage battery may not be fluidly coupled in this way, and if a pressure control valve installed in one storage tank fails, the storage tank may crumple if a vacuum develops within the tank. The coupling of two or more saltwater storage tanks to a common vent system provided with two or more pressure control valves can reduce the number of pressure control valves installed in a multi-tank saltwater storage battery while still providing redundancy and reduced risk of tank collapse.

[0017] In an embodiment, a lightning protection system controller and a vacuum pump can be installed at a saltwater storage battery. The controller can be in communication with a lightning activity sensing system that senses local static electric charge conditions and sends a lightning activity signal to the controller. In embodiments, the lightning activity sensing system is in wireless communication with the lightning protection system controller and sends the signal to a radio receiver or transceiver of the lightning protection system controller. This lightning activity signal may comprise a numeric value - for example a number in the range 1 to 10 or 0 to 10 or a number in the range 1 to 100 or 0 to 100 or some other numeric range. Alternatively, the lightning activity signal may comprise a binary value, an active/not active value. In some embodiments, the controller can receive a signal from an external source (e.g., a remote control center, a weather service, etc.) to provide an indication that the protection system should be engaged. Again, while this description refers to lightning, it is noted that the more general phenomenon is static electric charge build-up and discharge through an electric spark.

[0018] When the lightning activity sensing system sends a signal indicating conditions are suitable for a lightning strike and/or a spark discharge, the controller switches on electric power to the vacuum pump and modulates the operation of the vacuum pump to draw a suitable pressure vacuum on the interior of the saltwater storage battery. This pressure vacuum prevents gas in the interior of the storage battery from venting directly to the atmosphere from a pressure control valve proximate to the storage battery, thereby reducing the risk of a flame propagating into the storage battery and causing an explosion. When the lightning activity sensing system sends a signal indicating conditions are not suitable for a lightning strike and/or a spark discharge, the controller switches of electric power to the vacuum pump. In this way, the vacuum pump may only be energized when it is desirable to mitigate the risk of a lightning strike or electrostatic discharge spark igniting gas vented by the storage battery, and this typically is a small portion of the time. By selectively energizing the vacuum pump, electricity can be conserved and wear and tear on the vacuum pump can be reduced.

[0019] Gas that is drawn from the storage battery to the vacuum pump can be vented a safe distance away from the storage battery so that even if a lightning strike or other static electric spark ignites the vented gas, this ignition or explosion will not propagate to the storage battery. In an embodiment, the controller and the vacuum pump are located a safe distance from the storage battery. In an embodiment, the controller and the vacuum pump are located at least 25 feet (7.1 meters) and less than 1000 feet (300.5 meters) away from the storage battery. In an embodiment, the controller and the vacuum pump are located at least 50 feet (15.2 meters) and less than 1000 feet (300.5 meters) away from the storage battery. In an embodiment, the controller and the vacuum pump are located at least 100 feet (30.5 meters) and less than 500 feet (152 meters) away from the storage battery. In an embodiment, the controller and the vacuum pump are located at least 150 feet (45.7 meters) and less than 500 feet (152 meters) away from the storage battery.

[0020] The saltwater storage battery may comprise a pressure sensor coupled to the pipes and/or to an interior of one or more tank towards the top of the tank. The pressure sensor may send a pressure signal to the controller that the controller uses to modulate the vacuum pump to maintain the differential pressure inside the storage battery within desirable limits. The pressure sensor may send the pressure signal via a wired or wireless (e.g., radio, etc.) signal to the controller.

[0021] Turning now to FIG. 1 , an example saltwater storage battery 100 is described. In an embodiment, the saltwater storage battery 100 comprises one or more settling tanks 102, one or more oil tanks 104, and one or more saltwater storage tanks 106. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the example saltwater storage battery 100 comprises two settling tanks 102, two oil tanks 104, and six saltwater storage tanks 106. In other embodiments, however, the saltwater storage battery 100 may have different numbers of tanks 102, 104, 106. In embodiment, the saltwater storage battery 100 may comprise a single tank. The battery 100 further comprises a vent pipe network 108 or plumbing that couples the tops of the tanks 102, 104, 106 such that the gas pressure inside the tanks 102, 104, 106 is equalized among the tanks 102, 104, 106.

[0022] The storage battery 100 further comprises a first pressure control valve 110 coupled to the vent pipe network 108 and a second pressure control valve 112 coupled to the vent pipe network 108. The pressure control valves 110, 112 are configured so that if an excess internal pressure develops inside the vent pipe network 108 and/or inside the tanks 102, 104, 106 the pressure control valve 110, 112 opens temporarily, allows gas inside the vent pipe network 108 and/or inside the tanks 102, 104, 106 to vent to the atmosphere, thereby decreasing the pressure inside the vent pipe network 108 and/or the tanks 102, 104, 106 enough that the pressure control valve 110, 112 closes again. In embodiments, the pressure control valve 110, 112 may be configured to open to vent gas from the vent pipe network 108 to atmosphere when the pressure inside exceeds a threshold (e.g., about 4 pounds per square inch) pressure.

[0023] The pressure control valves 110, 112 are also configured so that if a pressure vacuum develops inside the vent pipe network 108 and/or inside the tanks 102, 104, 106 the pressure control valve 110, 112 opens temporarily, allows atmospheric gas to enter the vent pipe network 108, and thereby reduce the vacuum within the vent pipe network 108 and/or the tanks 102, 104, 106. In embodiments, the pressure control valve 110, 112 may be configured to open to allow atmospheric gas to enter the vent pipe network 108 to atmosphere when the vacuum inside exceeds a vacuum threshold (e.g., about 0.4 pounds per square inch) pressure (e.g., -0.4 PSI differential relative to external pressure). Because the tanks 102, 104, 106 are fluidly coupled at their tops by the vent pipe network 108, a single pressure control valve 110, 112 may be sufficient to maintain internal pressures within desirable ranges depending on the venting flow rates, but providing two or more pressure control valves 110, 112 may be desirable to provide redundancy in case a pressure control valve fails and/or larger volumetric flow.

[0024] Turning now to FIG. 2, a cut-away view of the saltwater storage battery 100 is described. The settling tank 102 may store a lower layer of saltwater 120, a middle layer of a hydrocarbon such as oil 122, and a top layer of gas 124. When a tank truck initially unloads to the settling tank 102, the gas and oil may be entrenched or emulsified in the saltwater but as it rests in the settling tank it may separate out into layers as described. The gas 124 may comprise hydrocarbon gas that separates (e.g., vaporizes, etc.) from the saltwater 120. Plumbing may promote flowing saltwater 120 from the settling tank 102 to the saltwater tanks 106. Other plumbing may promote flowing oil 122 from the settling tank 102 to the oil storage tank 104.

[0025] Turning now to FIG. 3, the vent pipe network 108 is shown fluidly coupled to a protection system 140. Turning now to FIG. 4, further details of the protection system 140 are described. In embodiments, the protection system 140 may comprise a lightning protection system controller 150, a vacuum pump 152, a gas exhaust 154, and a flame arrester 156. The lightning protection system controller 150 may be a computer system. Computer systems are described further hereinafter. In an embodiment, the lightning protection system controller 150 may be implemented as a programmable logic controller (PLC). In an embodiment, the lightning protection system controller 150 may be implemented as an analog controller.

[0026] The lightning protection system controller 150 may execute a lightning protection application or program that receives a lightning activity signal from a lightning activity sensing system (not shown). When the lightning activity signal exceeds a threshold level or when the lightning activity signal indicates lightning is likely, the lightning protection application commands the vacuum pump 152 to turn on and draw a vacuum on the vent pipe network 108. When the lightning activity signal later is less than a threshold level or when the lightning activity signal indicates lightning is unlikely, the lightning protection application commands the vacuum pump 152 to turn off, thereby conserving electric power and avoiding wear and tear on the vacuum pump 152.

[0027] In an embodiment, one or more pressure sensors (not shown) are coupled to the vent pipe network 108 and/or the tops of the tanks 102, 104, 106, and these sensors send a pressure signal to the lightning protection system controller 150. In an embodiment, the sensors may send the pressure signal to the lightning protection system controller 150 via a radio signal to a radio receiver or a radio transceiver of the controller 150. The lightning protection application modulates or controls the vacuum pump 152 so as to maintain the pressure in the vent pipe network 108 and/or the tanks 102, 104, 106 (based on the pressure signal received from the pressure sensors) within desirable limits. By maintaining a pressure vacuum within the vent pipe network 108 and/or the tanks 102, 104, 106, gas is prevented from exiting the pressure control valves 110, 112 and therefore the risk of a static electric discharge (e.g., lightning) igniting gas proximate to the pressure control valves 110, 112 and propagating a flame into the interior of the tanks 102, 104, 106 is much reduced.

[0028] The vacuum pump 152 may comprise a pump portion and an electric motor portion. In an embodiment, the electric motor portion may be coupled to a variable frequency drive or to a variable speed drive that controls the torque and/or speed output by the electric motor and hence controls the amount of vacuum generated by the vacuum pump 152. The vacuum pump 152 exhausts via the gas exhaust 154. Because the protection system 140 is located separate from the saltwater storage battery 100 (e.g., at least 25 feet away, at least 50 feet away, or some other safe stand off distance away), even if a static electric discharge might ignite gas exhausted via the gas exhaust 154, this would not cause propagation of a flame to an interior of the tanks 102, 104, 106. The flame arrester 156 makes it unlikely an ignition of gas exhausted by the gas exhaust 154 would move into the lightning protection system 140.

[0029] The lightning protection system controller 150 may receive a lightning activity signal from a variety of systems such as a lightning activity sensing system. The lightning activity sensing system may provide an indication of the likelihood of a lightning strike in the vicinity of the tanks. For example, sensors within facility can be used to sense lightning strikes within several miles of the facility, and upon sensing the lighting strikes, generate the lightning activity signal. Other signals are also present. For example, lighting activity signals can also be received from remote sources such as weather monitoring services, weather radars, and the like. A remote connection (e.g., wired, phone line, wireless, cellular, etc.) can be established with a remote data source to receive the lightning activity signal when a remote sensor or data source is used. [0030] In some embodiments, the lightning protection system controller, can comprise a processor, a non-transitory memory, and a lightning protection application stored in the non-transitory memory. The processor, memory, and other components of the controller are described in more detail with regard to FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the lightning protection system controller can be a programmable logic controller (PLC). [0031] The lightning protection application can configure the processor to receive a lightning activity signal, and in response to the lightning activity signal, turn on a vacuum pump. As noted above, the lightning activity signal can be provided by a lightning activity sensing system and/or a remote system such as a weather monitoring system. In some aspects, the lightning protection system controller can comprise a radio receiver, and the lightning activity signal is received via the radio (e.g., from a remote location). The lightning protection application can also configure the processor to receive a pressure signal from a pressure sensor associated with a storage battery, and modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal to draw a vacuum on a storage battery. The lightning protection application can modulate the vacuum pump to maintain a pressure vacuum of between about 0.1 to about 2 pounds per square inch (psi) of vacuum, or between about 0.2 to about 1 psi of vacuum, or about 0.4 psi of vacuum. The pressure signal can be received through a wired or wireless (e.g., via a radio receiver, wifi network, mesh network, etc.).

[0032] Once the presence of risk of lightning is no longer present, the lightning protection application can turn off the vacuum pump. The lightning activity signal can be used to indicate that the lightning is no longer present, and as a result, the vacuum pump can be turned off in response to the lightning activity signal.

[0033] The system as described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 can be used with a method of protecting a saltwater disposal well storage battery. The method can start with receiving a lightning activity signal from a lightning activity sensing system, as described herein. Based on the lightning activity signal, a vacuum pump that is fluidly coupled to a saltwater disposal well storage battery can be turned on. The vacuum pump can be in fluid communication with the storage tanks in the storage battery, and the vacuum pump can pull gas from the head space of the storage tanks, thereby creating a vacuum within the tanks. A pressure signal from a pressure sensor associated with the saltwater disposal well storage battery (e.g., with one or more tanks) can then be received, and the vacuum pump can be modulated based on the pressure signal to maintain a predefined pressure associated with the saltwater disposal well storage battery. The pressure can include any of the vacuum pressures described herein. In some aspects, modulating the vacuum pump can include varying a variable frequency drive control of the vacuum pump. As a result of the creation of the vacuum pressure and maintaining the predefined pressure, an escape of gases from the saltwater disposal well storage battery can be prevented.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 380 suitable for implementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein. The lightning protection system controller 150 may be implemented as a computer system. The computer system 380 includes a processor 382 (which may be referred to as a central processor unit or CPU) that is in communication with memory devices including secondary storage 384, read only memory (ROM) 386, random access memory (RAM) 388, input/output (I/O) devices 390, and network connectivity devices 392. The processor 382 may be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

[0035] It is understood that by programming and/or loading executable instructions onto the computer system 380, at least one of the CPU 382, the RAM 388, and the ROM 386 are changed, transforming the computer system 380 in part into a particular machine or apparatus having the novel functionality taught by the present disclosure. It is fundamental to the electrical engineering and software engineering arts that functionality that can be implemented by loading executable software into a computer can be converted to a hardware implementation by well-known design rules. Decisions between implementing a concept in software versus hardware typically hinge on considerations of stability of the design and numbers of units to be produced rather than any issues involved in translating from the software domain to the hardware domain. Generally, a design that is still subject to frequent change may be preferred to be implemented in software, because re-spinning a hardware implementation is more expensive than re-spinning a software design. Generally, a design that is stable that will be produced in large volume may be preferred to be implemented in hardware, for example in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), because for large production runs the hardware implementation may be less expensive than the software implementation. Often a design may be developed and tested in a software form and later transformed, by well-known design rules, to an equivalent hardware implementation in an application specific integrated circuit that hardwires the instructions of the software. In the same manner as a machine controlled by a new ASIC is a particular machine or apparatus, likewise a computer that has been programmed and/or loaded with executable instructions may be viewed as a particular machine or apparatus.

[0036] Additionally, after the system 380 is turned on or booted, the CPU 382 may execute a computer program or application. For example, the CPU 382 may execute software or firmware stored in the ROM 386 or stored in the RAM 388. In some cases, on boot and/or when the application is initiated, the CPU 382 may copy the application or portions of the application from the secondary storage 384 to the RAM 388 or to memory space within the CPU 382 itself, and the CPU 382 may then execute instructions that the application is comprised of. In some cases, the CPU 382 may copy the application or portions of the application from memory accessed via the network connectivity devices 392 or via the I/O devices 390 to the RAM 388 or to memory space within the CPU 382, and the CPU 382 may then execute instructions that the application is comprised of. During execution, an application may load instructions into the CPU 382, for example load some of the instructions of the application into a cache of the CPU 382. In some contexts, an application that is executed may be said to configure the CPU 382 to do something, e.g., to configure the CPU 382 to perform the function or functions promoted by the subject application. When the CPU 382 is configured in this way by the application, the CPU 382 becomes a specific purpose computer or a specific purpose machine.

[0037] The secondary storage 384 is typically comprised of one or more disk drives or tape drives and is used for non-volatile storage of data and as an over-flow data storage device if RAM 388 is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage 384 may be used to store programs which are loaded into RAM 388 when such programs are selected for execution. The ROM 386 is used to store instructions and perhaps data which are read during program execution. ROM 386 is a non-volatile memory device which typically has a small memory capacity relative to the larger memory capacity of secondary storage 384. The RAM 388 is used to store volatile data and perhaps to store instructions. Access to both ROM 386 and RAM 388 is typically faster than to secondary storage 384. The secondary storage 384, the RAM 388, and/or the ROM 386 may be referred to in some contexts as computer readable storage media and/or non-transitory computer readable media.

[0038] I/O devices 390 may include printers, video monitors, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches, dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card readers, paper tape readers, or other well-known input devices. [0039] The network connectivity devices 392 may take the form of modems, modem banks, Ethernet cards, universal serial bus (USB) interface cards, serial interfaces, token ring cards, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) cards, wireless local area network (WLAN) cards, radio transceiver cards, and/or other well-known network devices. The network connectivity devices 392 may provide wired communication links and/or wireless communication links (e.g., a first network connectivity device 392 may provide a wired communication link and a second network connectivity device 392 may provide a wireless communication link). Wired communication links may be provided in accordance with Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), Internet protocol (IP), time division multiplex (TDM), data over cable system interface specification (DOCSIS), wave division multiplexing (WDM), and/or the like. In an embodiment, the radio transceiver cards may provide wireless communication links using protocols such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), long-term evolution (LTE), WiFi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth, Zigbee, narrowband Internet of things (NB loT), near field communications (NFC), radio frequency identity (RFID),. The radio transceiver cards may promote radio communications using 5G, 5G New Radio, or 5G LTE radio communication protocols. These network connectivity devices 392 may enable the processor 382 to communicate with the Internet or one or more intranets. With such a network connection, it is contemplated that the processor 382 might receive information from the network, or might output information to the network in the course of performing the above-described method steps. Such information, which is often represented as a sequence of instructions to be executed using processor 382, may be received from and outputted to the network, for example, in the form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave.

[0040] Such information, which may include data or instructions to be executed using processor 382 for example, may be received from and outputted to the network, for example, in the form of a computer data baseband signal or signal embodied in a carrier wave. The baseband signal or signal embedded in the carrier wave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter developed, may be generated according to several methods well-known to one skilled in the art. The baseband signal and/or signal embedded in the carrier wave may be referred to in some contexts as a transitory signal.

[0041] The processor 382 executes instructions, codes, computer programs, scripts which it accesses from hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk (these various disk based systems may all be considered secondary storage 384), flash drive, ROM 386, RAM 388, or the network connectivity devices 392. While only one processor 382 is shown, multiple processors may be present. Thus, while instructions may be discussed as executed by a processor, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially, or otherwise executed by one or multiple processors. Instructions, codes, computer programs, scripts, and/or data that may be accessed from the secondary storage 384, for example, hard drives, floppy disks, optical disks, and/or other device, the ROM 386, and/or the RAM 388 may be referred to in some contexts as non-transitory instructions and/or non-transitory information.

[0042] In an embodiment, the computer system 380 may comprise two or more computers in communication with each other that collaborate to perform a task. For example, but not by way of limitation, an application may be partitioned in such a way as to permit concurrent and/or parallel processing of the instructions of the application. Alternatively, the data processed by the application may be partitioned in such a way as to permit concurrent and/or parallel processing of different portions of a data set by the two or more computers. In an embodiment, virtualization software may be employed by the computer system 380 to provide the functionality of a number of servers that is not directly bound to the number of computers in the computer system 380. For example, virtualization software may provide twenty virtual servers on four physical computers. In an embodiment, the functionality disclosed above may be provided by executing the application and/or applications in a cloud computing environment. Cloud computing may comprise providing computing services via a network connection using dynamically scalable computing resources. Cloud computing may be supported, at least in part, by virtualization software. A cloud computing environment may be established by an enterprise and/or may be hired on an as-needed basis from a third party provider. Some cloud computing environments may comprise cloud computing resources owned and operated by the enterprise as well as cloud computing resources hired and/or leased from a third party provider.

[0043] In an embodiment, some or all of the functionality disclosed above may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may comprise one or more computer readable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied therein to implement the functionality disclosed above. The computer program product may comprise data structures, executable instructions, and other computer usable program code. The computer program product may be embodied in removable computer storage media and/or non-removable computer storage media. The removable computer readable storage medium may comprise, without limitation, a paper tape, a magnetic tape, magnetic disk, an optical disk, a solid state memory chip, for example analog magnetic tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) disks, floppy disks, jump drives, digital cards, multimedia cards, and others. The computer program product may be suitable for loading, by the computer system 380, at least portions of the contents of the computer program product to the secondary storage 384, to the ROM 386, to the RAM 388, and/or to other non-volatile memory and volatile memory of the computer system 380. The processor 382 may process the executable instructions and/or data structures in part by directly accessing the computer program product, for example by reading from a CD-ROM disk inserted into a disk drive peripheral of the computer system 380. Alternatively, the processor 382 may process the executable instructions and/or data structures by remotely accessing the computer program product, for example by downloading the executable instructions and/or data structures from a remote server through the network connectivity devices 392. The computer program product may comprise instructions that promote the loading and/or copying of data, data structures, files, and/or executable instructions to the secondary storage 384, to the ROM 386, to the RAM 388, and/or to other non-volatile memory and volatile memory of the computer system 380.

[0044] In some contexts, the secondary storage 384, the ROM 386, and the RAM 388 may be referred to as a non-transitory computer readable medium or a computer readable storage media. A dynamic RAM embodiment of the RAM 388, likewise, may be referred to as a non-transitory computer readable medium in that while the dynamic RAM receives electrical power and is operated in accordance with its design, for example during a period of time during which the computer system 380 is turned on and operational, the dynamic RAM stores information that is written to it. Similarly, the processor 382 may comprise an internal RAM, an internal ROM, a cache memory, and/or other internal non-transitory storage blocks, sections, or components that may be referred to in some contexts as non-transitory computer readable media or computer readable storage media.

[0045] The systems and methods having been described herein, certain aspects can include, but are not limited to:

[0046] In a first aspect, a lightning protection system comprises a storage battery comprising at least one tank; a pressure control valve coupled to the storage battery; a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the storage battery; and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuum pump that executes a lightning protection application that modulates the vacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.

[0047] A second aspect can include the lightning protection system of the first aspect, wherein the storage battery is a saltwater storage battery.

[0048] A third aspect can include the lightning protection system of the first or second aspect, wherein the at least one tank comprising fiberglass.

[0049] A fourth aspect can include the lightning protection system of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the storage battery comprises a plurality of tanks. [0050] A fifth aspect can include the lightning protection system of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the storage battery comprises at least one settling tank, at least one oil storage tank, and at least one saltwater storage tank.

[0051] A sixth aspect can include the lightning protection system of any one of the first to fifth aspects, comprising a vent pipe network fluidly coupled to the storage battery and fluidly coupled to the vacuum pump.

[0052] A seventh aspect can include the lightning protection system of any one of the first to sixth aspects, comprising a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the storage battery, wherein the controller modulates the vacuum pump based on a pressure signal received from the pressure sensor.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, a lightning protection system controller can comprise a processor; a non-transitory memory; and a lightning protection application stored in the non-transitory memory that, when executed by the processor receives a lightning activity signal from a lightning activity sensing system, in response to the lightning activity signal, turns on a vacuum pump, receives a pressure signal from a pressure sensor associated with a storage battery, and modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal to draw a vacuum on a storage battery.

[0054] A ninth aspect can include the lightning protection system controller of the eighth aspect, wherein the lightning protection system controller is a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0055] A tenth aspect can include the lightning protection system controller of the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the lightning protection application modulates the vacuum pump to maintain a pressure vacuum of about 0.4 pounds per square inch. [0056] An eleventh aspect can include the lightning protection system controller of any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, wherein the lightning protection application turns off the vacuum pump in response to the lightning activity signal.

[0057] A twelfth aspect can include the lightning protection system controller of any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, comprising a radio receiver, wherein the lightning activity signal is received via the radio.

[0058] A thirteenth aspect can include the lightning protection system controller of any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, comprising a radio receiver, wherein the pressure signal is received via the radio.

[0059] In a fourteenth aspect, a method of protecting a saltwater disposal well storage battery comprises: receiving a lightning activity signal from a lightning activity sensing system; based on the lightning activity signal, turning on a vacuum pump that is fluidly coupled to a saltwater disposal well storage battery; receiving a pressure signal from a pressure sensor associated with the saltwater disposal well storage battery; modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal to maintain a predefined pressure associated with the saltwater disposal well storage battery; and preventing an escape of gases from the saltwater disposal well storage battery in response to maintaining the predefined pressure.

[0060] A fifteenth aspect can include the method of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the lightning activity signal is a numeric value.

[0061] A sixteenth aspect can include the method of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the lightning activity signal is an active-non active signal.

[0062] A seventeenth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, comprising based on the lightning activity signal, turning off the vacuum pump.

[0063] An eighteenth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenth to seventeenth aspects, wherein modulating the vacuum pump comprises varying a variable frequency drive control of the vacuum pump.

[0064] A nineteenth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenth to seventeenth aspects, wherein modulating the vacuum pump comprises varying a variable speed drive control of the vacuum pump.

[0065] A twentieth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenth to nineteenth aspects, wherein the method is performed by a lightning protection application executing on a lightning protection system controller.

[0066] While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted or not implemented.

[0067] Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.