A reforming reactor and process of using same in which the process gas is effectively and efficiently distributed through the non-reactive zone. The non-reactive zone has two portions, a first portion receiving a purge gas and having an outlet for an effluent from a reactive zone disposed beneath the non-reactive zone and a second portion receiving the feed and having an inlet. The inlet is located between the reaction zone and the outlet. A flow distributor separates the non-reactive zone into the two portions.