The metrology and the impact of various parameters and operating conditions on the bulk-to-tube heat transfer coefficients in two-phase bubble columns are investigated on a small-scale mock-up. It is shown that (1) quasi-adiabatic conditions can be reached in the column; (2) the bulk-to-tube heat transfer coefficients for each U-tube downward and upward sections may or may not differ significantly, depending on the way uncertainty of the measurements is estimated; (3) using the different measurements and uncertainty estimates for given conditions, a mean heat transfer coefficient over all tubes is estimated within +/-5%. The consequences for bulk-to-tube heat transfer coefficient prediction in a larger column are discussed.