An experimental investigation has been carried out to analyze the heat transfer characteristics of a hot vertical stainless steel foil by circular impinging jets of pure water and Al2O3-water nanofluids. The local heat transfer characteristics are estimated from the thermal images obtained from infrared thermal imaging camera (A655sc, FLIR System). Tests are performed for different Reynolds number (Re = 5000-12000), nanofluids concentration (Phi= 0.15%, 0.6%) and for a different nozzle to plate distance (I/d = 6,12). The results indicated that the heat transfer characteristics of Al2O3-water nanofluids were better compared with water. Based on the investigation a correlation among various parameter, namely, Nusselt number (Nu), Prandtl number (Pr), nozzle to plate distance (1/d), Reynolds number (Re) and particle volume fraction (Phi) is presented. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.