To provide a dryer for a liquid-like sludge or the like capable of drying a mud-like liquid-like material containing a large quantity of a moisture such as a water content of 90% or more by directly charging the material and reducing an operating cost, a manufacturing cost and size of the dryer by extremely decreasing a heat radiating loss.

A cylindrical metal rotary drum 3 is rotatably disposed at a horizontal rotary shaft 4 as a center in an outer case 2. A combustion chamber 3B is formed in the drum 3. A sludge storage tank 10 having a heat exchanger 11 for preheating the liquid-like sludge A is arranged in the case 2. Coating means 12, 13 for continuously coating an outer peripheral wall 3A of the drum 3 with the sludge A are provided. A scraper 14 for scraping off the sludge A is arranged under the drum 3.