Accelerated run-out table cooling has become a key technology that determines microstructure and resulting mechanical properties of thermo-mechanically controlled processed (TMCP) steels. The present study quantifies the heat transfer mechanisms during bottom jet cooling of a stationary steel plate with systematic pilot-scale experiments. The emphasis of the study is to quantify the effect of process parameters, i.e. jet impingement velocity, water temperature and nozzle orientation, on heat extraction rates. Experimental results are described and quantitatively analyzed, adding to the database for run-out table cooling.