In this study an iterative and sequential inverse heat transfer analysis procedure is developed and implemented into a two-dimensional finite element program. The developed program is used to determine the heat fluxes at the stagnation points of stationary hot plates cooled by impingement water jets in an industry scale test facility. Analysis of data shows that the heat transfer behavior at the stagnation is mainly affected by water temperature and hardly affected by water flow rate with mild effect from steel grade. The features of boiling curves and the typical values obtained are in good agreement with data in the literature. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.