The entransy theory has been developed for heat transfer optimization. This paper extends it to optimize thermodynamic processes. The entransy balance equation of thermodynamic processes is introduced, with which the concept of entransy loss is developed. For the Carnot cycle and the irreversible thermodynamic processes where the working fluid is heated by the streams with prescribed inlet temperatures and specific capacity flow rates, we find that the maximum entransy loss leads to the maximum output work, which is the maximum principle of entransy loss in thermodynamic processes. However, the entropy generation cannot describe the change of the output work for the Carnot cycle. Therefore, the concept of entransy loss could describe the performance of thermodynamic processes. Then, the principle is used to optimize the thermodynamic processes of heat exchanger groups and the design of the irreversible Brayton cycle. For these problems, the operation parameters are optimized to get the maximum output work by calculating the maximum entransy loss when the entransy loss induced by dumping the used streams into the environment is considered. The analysis of the air conditioning system for room heating with heat work conversion processes demonstrates the entransy loss has a direct relation with the input heat. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.