AHC/WI: Steam turbine invented at least a decade earlier

Deleted member 97083

The final major evolution of the steam engine design was the use of steam turbines starting in the late part of the 19th century. Sir Charles Parsons invented the modern steam turbine in 1884, revolutionizing steam power which was a big leap towards cheap and plentiful electricity. During his lifetime he saw the generating capacity of a unit scale up by 10,000 times and saw the steam turbine adopted by all major power stations. Steam turbines allowed for a revolution in marine transport and naval warfare.

What if a steam turbine equal to, or better to the Parsons turbine, was invented at least a decade prior, 1874 or earlier? Just how early would it have been possible for it to be invented? And what effects would this have on the latter stage of the Industrial Revolution?
 
Tricky, it took until 1881 for an Ocean-Going ship to have a Triple-Expansion Steam Engine, and that was 20 years after the first patent.
Hypothetically James Watt's 1775 Reaction Engine might have led to a Turbine, but he was still trying to perfect the Condenser and was a little busy.
If Gustaf de Laval had invented his alternative, and not the one commonly used, design at the same age as Charles Parsons invented his then 1875 is possible. The Impulse Steam Turbine is simpler, less expensive and does not need to be pressure-proof. It can operate with any pressure of steam, however it is considerably less efficient.
 
Top