The invention relates to a reactor (1), suitable for the catalytic conversion of a feed mixture which is capable of explosion and/or ignition, comprising a feed supply chamber (2), an effluent discharge chamber (3), a catalyst bed (4) having an upstream surface (5) and a downstream surface (6) which is in fluid communication with the effluent discharge chamber (3), and means for covering part of the upstream surface (5) that partly confine the feed supply chamber (2), wherein the feed supply chamber (2) has, during normal operation, no zones where the fluid flow is stagnant, to the use of such a reactor (1), in particular a catalytic partial oxidation process, and to transport means provided with such a reactor (1).