Effect of Na₂S Addition on Vacuum Carbon-Thermal Reduction of Panzhihua Ilmenite Concentrate

China’s titanium resources are primarily found in primary vanadium-titanium magnetite. The grade of ilmenite concentrate obtained after mineral processing is low with high calcium and magnesium impurity, making it difficult to reduce. This leads to high energy consumption and poor product quality during electric furnace smelting. Therefore, this paper introduces a new process using Na₂S-enhanced vacuum carbothermic reduction to treat ilmenite concentrate. This new process has lower energy consumption and better slag–iron separation effects. The results show that the presence of S in Na₂S can effectively promote the reduction of Fe in ilmenite concentrate by C, with Ti remaining in the reduced slag at a lower valence state. The addition of 10% Na₂S provided the best promotion effect for the reduction of ilmenite concentrate, effectively lowering the initial reduction temperature of the ilmenite concentrate and promoting the aggregation and growth of Fe in the ilmenite concentrate sample.