I've known engine shops that would use kerosene for the same purpose (kerosene and diesel fuel are practically identical, I believe kerosene is refined one step more), whenever they'd do an engine swap with a junkyard engine. They'd run a kerosene/oil mix at engine idle to clean out the engine, then drain and refill with motor oil.

I agree that this will not harm your engine. I'd also say it shouldn't be necessary if you do regular oil changes.