A diesel engine works by compressing air rapidly in a confined space, which raises the air temperature, then an injector squirts in a measured amount of fuel that vaporizes and ignites to create pressure against a piston.
Anybody ever apply this to a real weapon? I can remember putting 3-in-1 oil in a Daisy BB gun chamber and occasionally getting a much sharper crack out of the muzzle.
A diesel will run off of a lot of different fuels. How about shooting all afternoon with some cast bullets and a can of corn oil or leftover french fryer grease!
I would imagine that most air gun technology would apply.