A solution of the coupled differential equations for fluid and solid phase in a one-dimensional porous medium in thermal non-equilibrium is presented using the concept of analyzing the impulse response. The impulse response is shown to be sensitive to the volumetric heat transfer coefficient and the coolant mass flux. Experimental data obtained from surface heating of transpiration cooled porous ZrB 2 samples is compared to a newly developed theoretical model. The surface and backside temperature of the solid are measured using thermographic imaging and thermocouple instrumentation. The non-integer system identification approach is used to experimentally obtain the thermal impulse response which is then compared to the model prediction. Good agreement is found between the simulated and experimental data with average deviations below 10 %. The developed model provides the basis for inverse heat transfer measurements and further analysis of transpiration cooled materials. Nomenclature a Heat loss constant, W m −3 K −1 A Coefficient in Laplace-space B Coefficient in Laplace-space c p Specific heat capacity, J kg −1 K −1 C Coefficient for analytical temperature solution, K d Length of square illuminated by the laser radiation H Impulse response, K h v Volumetric heat transfer coefficient, W m −3 K −1 J Iteration parameter