Abstract: In the manufacture of metal powder by the water atomization of liquid metal, a batch of powder and water together constituting a slurry is pumped into a settling tank having a separate receptacle constituting the bottom of the tank. A filter bed is provided in the receptacle and the powder settles on to the filter bed. Excess water is drawn off from the receptacle which is then removed from the upper part of the tank and a cover is fitted. A differential pressure is then applied between the powder and the underside of the filter bed to suck out more of the water leaving the powder with a low water content on the filter bed.