44 are inserted thereby engaging cylinder wall 102 piston rings 42 44 are lubricated by standard means via oil injection ports 46 the oil from ports 46 drains through oil drain 48 fig6 shows the compliant mount 50 of multi segmented crowned piston rings 42 44 in more detail fig3 discloses an alternative embodiment of the invention a hybrid powder lubricated piston ring with an oil lubricated hydrostatic piston ring multi segmented crowned piston rings 42 44 are replaced with hydrostatic piston rings 52 54 the recess between hydrostatic piston rings 52 54 includes restrictor 56 particulate return valve 28 is not shown in this embodiment as would be appropriate for a diesel engine using a low ash fuel however the inclusion of particulate return valve 28 in this embodiment would be appropriate for the use of a high ash fuel such as coal water slurry fig4 a and 4b disclose a compliant piston ring design for the instant invention as previously stated piston head 12 includes circumferential channel 14 or 15 powder lubricated ring 11 or 13 is inserted therein so as to contact lubricant powder 120 impinging upon cylinder wall 102 see fig7 for a table of typical lubricant powders as shown in detail in fig4 a and 4b ring 11 of the compliant piston ring design has an l shaped cross section with a horizontal portion 58 extending into channel 14 and an upwardly extending vertical portion 60 extending upwardly parallel to cylinder wall 102 moreover the portion of piston head 12 above circumferential channel 14 is of slightly reduced diameter so as on the downstroke of piston 10 the combustion.