The document discusses the bomb calorimeter, which is used to measure the calorific value of liquid or solid fuels. It consists of a spherical vessel containing a small sample of fuel in an oxygen atmosphere. The vessel is immersed in an isolated water bath, which acts as the calorimeter. When combustion is initiated, the temperature change in the water is measured and used to determine the heat released from the fuel, allowing its calorific value to be calculated. The apparatus is calibrated using a reference fuel with a known heat of combustion.