The flow field associated with cylindrical coolant jets inclined in tangential and azimuthal direction employed inside a circular pipe has been studied. Numerical results are compared with in-house experimental data for a row of circumferential film cooling holes with two distinct geometric configurations. Results provide insight into the film cooling performance and the heat transfer characteristics associated with this type of film-cooling jets. Secondary flow recirculation zones are found near the jet exit in the regimes close to the wall and the center. Its occurrence and length is found to be controlled by the geometric con figuration of the coolant hole. This secondary flow structure and the jet impingement on the wall are found responsible for developing a maximum local Nusselt number downstream of coolant injection. Reverse heat transfer regimes are noted for conjugate walls with higher thermal conductivity. The spreading of the coolant around the circumference is mainly due to the asymmetric vorticity levels present at the jet exit plane. Higher tangential orientation of the coolant jet with the mainstream has resulted in lower injectant concentration near the test section wall and lower effectiveness throughout the test section. The results indicate that through the use of optimal coolant injector configurations, reduction in coolant requirement can be achieved. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.