Abstract: A process for bleaching pulp in tank comprises several steps. A pulp slurry and an oxidizing agent are supplied to a first tank compartment. The mixture of pulp slurry and oxidizing agent is agitated at a first power level that corresponds to an approximate minimum power level for a maximum reaction rate on a plot of reaction rate versus power level for a first residence time. The mixture is re-agitated in another tank compartment at a second power level that corresponds to an approximate minimum power level for a maximum reaction rate on a plot of reaction rate versus power level for a second residence time. The second power level is lower than said first power level and corresponds to the amount of unreacted oxidizing agent and unreacted pulp slurry.